The construction work for three gigantic chariots of Holy Trinity – Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra – for the annual car festival in Puri is underway at the Ratha Khala (traditional workshop) and is expected to complete ahead of the schedule.
By: Devbrat Patnaik
Last updated: 15 May 2022, 02:55 PM IST
Biswakarmas (chief carpenters) began chariot construction work on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya after the priests of Srimandir handed over the ‘agyanmala’ (order of Lord Jagannath) to them. The 'Maharanas'(carpenters) and 'bhoi' (log transporters) servitors then joined in.
These visuals from the 'Ratha Khala' show the shaping of the 'Tumba' along with creating holes to fix the 'Ara' or the wooden spokes.
The making of ‘Ara Kanta’ or nails to fix the spokes in Tumba. This is being done at the Kamarasala at the Dolabedi.
This is Tumba construction and ‘Bindha Karya’ or making of holes in 42 Tumbas for the three chariots for fixing ‘Ara’ in each of the ‘Tumba’.
On the occasion of 'Nrusingha Chaturdashi' on Saturday, the 'Guja Anukula' ritual was performed at the Ratha Khala.
At the Kamarasala, the Ara Kanta or nails for the spokes are being made along with the Pandari.
SJTA said the fixing Ara in the Tumba is completed for the three chariots.