Residents of Baripada and nearby areas are all set to witness the return journey of the Trinity as the chariots of Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra will be pulled towards Jagannath temple in Baripada this evening.
As per schedule, the chariot of Lord Balabhadra will be tugged tomorrow. It may be noted that Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra in Baripada are two-day affairs and conducted a day after the chariot pulling at Puri.
The sibling deities along with Lord Sudarshan were escorted to their respective chariots in ceremonial ‘Goti Pahandi’ yesterday night, sources said.
After ‘Chhera Panhara’ and other rituals are conducted, the Nandighosa and Debadalana chariots would be pulled from the Gundicha temple for homecoming.
Meanwhile, lakhs of devotees from Mayurbhanj district and outside have thronged the town to participate in the extravaganza.
Similarly, the 65-feet long chariot of Lord Baldevjew at Kendrapara Town, popularly known as Tulasi Khetra will also be pulled today evening. A huge number of people converged in the town to witness the ritualistic Pahandi of the deities that were conducted yesterday night.
Adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure hassle-free Bahuda Yatra in the town.
While Goddess Subhadra in her chariot could only reach up to the Town Police station, Lord Jagannath in his chariot will start his journey to his aunt's abode tomorrow.
As per tradition, the pulling of chariots in Baripada is held a day after the Puri Rath Yatra.
What makes the Rath Yatra in Baripada special is the fact that the chariot of Devi Subhadra is pulled by the women devotees.
Like Puri Srimandir, all the important rituals including 'Pahandi bije' of the deities of the Jagannath Temple to their respective chariots and 'Cherra Panhara' were performed on the first day of Rath Yatra on Saturday.
The chariots of Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra will be pulled by devotees today while the chariot of Lord Jagannath, Nandighosa will be pulled on Monday.
"I am feeling blessed to get the opportunity to come here to pull Maa Subhadra's chariot. We wait for this opportunity throughout the year," said a woman devotee.
Adequate security measures have been made by the district administration for the smooth conduct of the annual festival here.
"20 platoon of police force including 10 to 12 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), 25 Inspectors have been deployed in Baripada town for the Rath Yatra celebrations. Special measures have also been undertaken for traffic on the routes the chariots will pass," said Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Town Police Station, Ashok Kumar Nayak.
CCTV cameras have been installed in strategic locations in the town to keep strict vigil on the movement of the crowd.
Apart from Baripada, the Rath Yatra celebrations also assume religious significance in Kendrapara, which is also known as 'Tulasi Khetra'.
A sea of humanity thronged Kendrapara town to pull the Brahma Taladhwaja of Lord Baladevjew today.
Unlike Puri, the Rath Yatra in Kendrapara is celebrated for two days and dieties are taken on a single chariot for their annual sojourn. The 65-feet tall chariot is made up of 1,223 pieces of wood and has 14 wheels.
After the ceremonial pahandi, the deities were taken to the chariot which was pulled by devotees yesterday. As per the tradition, the pulling of the chariot will resume today and will reach the Gundicha temple by evening, sources said.
The rituals of the festival ran late by over an hour. After pahandi of the deities, Shankaracharya paid a visit to the Trinity on the chariots. Gajapati Dibyasingh Deba performed the Chhera Panhara rituals.
Devotees from far and wide have gathered outside the Jagannath temple to participate in chariot pulling. While many devotees are busy chanting the deities names in kirtans in groups, many have dressed up as dancers or even as mythological characters of Hanuman and Lord Shiva.
Foreign tourists also visited the pilgrim town in large numbers including many devotees of Lord Jagannath.
The fervor was seen even alongside the road were devotees watched the proceedings from vantage points like hotels, private buildings and old Dharmashalas and mutts situated on the Grand Road in large numbers.
As the chariots of the three deities reach half way, they stop their journey to continue it on the next day. Taladhwaja stops near Balagandi, Debadalana near Bagala Dharmashala and Nandighosha near Town Police Station. The journey will resume at 9 am on Monday, while the preparations will start from 8 am.
Meanwhile, police cordon has been set up around the chariots. Devotees can only have darshan of the deities from outside the cordon.
The deities will now return to the Jagannath temple only on the ninth day of the festival during the Bahuda Yatra.
Also Read: PMO India Tweeted: Jagannath is the Lord of the poor
The Puri Gajapati came seated atop his royal palanquin from the Raja Nahara or royal palace to perform his duty as the first servitor of Lord Jagannath. He was welcomed by servitors and escorted to the chariots one after another starting with Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra followed by Debadalana of Devi Subhadra and Nandighosha of Lord Jagannath. On each of the chariots, the servitors sprinkled fragrant water and flowers that the Gajapati swept with a golden broom.
Also Read: Chariots Roll on Grand Road in Puri
The Pahandi of Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath also followed. Lord Balabhadra has been seated atop Taladhwaja. Earlier, in the morning today, the rituals began with the Mangala Alati and were followed by Mailama, Tadapalagi and Rosa Homa. Later, Abakash rituals, Surya Puja and Dwarapala puja were conducted. The deities’ decoration or Besha began at 7.30am after which the Trinity were offered Khechudi dish.
Also Read: Gajapati Performs Chhera Panhara
Despite rains, lakhs of devotees have turned up at pilgrim town to take part in the annual 9-day fete that marks the sojourn of the deities to Gundicha temple.
Elaborate arrangements have been made by the temple administration to conduct the rituals on time and ensure hassle free darshan for all as the deities come out of the temple and get on to their respective chariots---Nandighosa (Jagannath), Taladhwaja (Balabhadra) and Devadalana (Subhadra).
Mangala Alati 6 am
Mailama at 6.10
Tadapalagi and Rosa Homa 6.30.
Abakash ritual, Surya Puja and Dwarapala puja 7.30
Besha 7.30
Gopala Ballahav,Khechudi Bhoga-8am to 9am
Mangalarpana 9.15 am
Entry of Madan Mohan 12.30 to 1 pm
Chitalagi 1 pm to 1.30 pm
Chhera Pahanra 1.30 to 2.30 pm
Puri Rath Yatra 2017 Album:
Pradip Jena, who is supervising Rath Yatra proceedings first time as Chief Temple Administrator said it is strictly prohibited for devotees to touch the deities or even climb the chariots
"Snana Yatra rituals had discrepancies but we will ensure that no such issues come up during Rath Yatra. During the Pahandi of deities no devotees will be allowed to touch idols. The decision of 2014 of SJTA and High Court will be followed. Climbing the chariots falsely dressed as servitors will be treated as a criminal offence," said Jena today.
Also Read: Odisha Swift Action Force Launched, To Function From Rath Yatra 2017
Receiving this news of recovery of the deities, the Gajapati conducted the ‘saribandha’ rituals for servitors in which special pieces of cloth are tied around the heads of servitors to show them respect for their dedication to the deities. During the meeting, the ‘datitapatis’ and chief servitors discussed the health of the lords and their treatment, with the Gajapati.
On the occasion of 'saribandha' the new set of servitors of the younger generation are formally inducted into the respective services of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra with the formal rituals of the Gajapati tying the sacred cloth on their head.
“Ever since we begun the treatment of deities in Anasara, we have avoided any worship rituals that include loud sounds of music or prayers. Even the food offered to Lord Jagannath and His siblings during this hiberanation period. Herbal food items like the dasamula prepared by the vaidya using barks and roots of medicinal plants were offered. Similarly, the medicinal phuluri oil was massaged on to the deities,” said Jagannath Swain Mohapatra, the chief servitor of lord Jagannath. “Abada, the special rice cooked in the temple, has not been served since the last week,” he added.
With the continuous care and treatment of the servitors, the deities are slowly recovering. Today after the fever receded, the deities were applied sandalwood paste.
Besides the three chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balram and sister Subhadra, the Rath Yatra procession comprised 18 decorated elephants, 101 trucks with tableaux, members of 30 religious groups and 18 singing troupes.
The Rath Yatra is taken out every year on Ashadhi Bij, the second day of Ashad month, as per the Hindu calender.
The procession will come back to the temple at 8.30 pm today after passing through the Old City, including some communally sensitive areas like Jamalpur, Kalupur, Shahpur and Dariyapur.
Over 20,200 personnel drawn from the city police, Home Guards, the State Reserve Police (SRP) and para-military forces were deployed at strategic locations along the 18km-long yatra route to prevent any untoward incident.
Photo Credit: ANI
Lord Jagannath might be the ideal deity for millions of his devotees around the globe, but his one wife is not too impressed. Just within a fortnight of their wedding, he bathes too much and falls ill for 15 days. Immediately after, he goes out on a vacation with his siblings, not bothering to even ask her if she would like to come along. How insensitive! As one would expect, Lakshmi is not too happy.
Sad, she goes to her friend Bimala. In Balarama Dasa’s Jagamohana Chhanda, Lakshmi is depicted as doleful and crying. Newly-married Lakshmi being very simple bursts out into tears. Bimala, on the other hand, is a clever goddess; she tells Lakshmi that she has all the power and Jagannath is in fact, afraid of her. Convincing her so, Bimala herself goes and spies on Jagannath. He spots her and before she can reply, apologises and admits his fault. Craftily he also convinces her not to speak too much about all this. He asks Bimala how Lakshmi is feeling back at home and Bimala presents a sad picture- “To distract herself she is learning how to play the veena from Saraswati. Even then she strikes all the wrong notes out of grief. She’ll be coming here any moment. Go and placate her before sorrow turns to anger.”
On the day of Hera Panchami, all of this gets out of hand. Lakshmi marches to the Gundicha Temple secretly and breaks Jagannath’s chariot in her fury. She scurries back through hidden ways again. Even then he won’t budge.
About a week later he finally returns. On the day of Niladri Bije, the triad returns to the sanctum sanctorum from the Rathas. Balabhadra enters, Subhadra enters but when it is Jagannath’s turn, the door is shut. This is how Lakshmi decides to repay the unjust treatment doled out to her. And here starts the divine squabble between Lakshmi and Jagannath; wife and husband. This is known as the Lakshmi Narayana Bachanika or the Lakshmi Narayana Kali, ‘Kali’ in Odia referring to a verbal fight.
This is not the only kali that exists in Odia culture. There are the kela-keluni kali (snakecharmer and his wife) and sabara-sabaruni kali (tribal couple) in the ancient Danda Nacha of Odisha. Even Parbati has a squabble with Lingaraja after the Rukuna Ratha Jatra, perhaps an emulation of the Puri model. This is the Hara-Parbati Kali. Our folk stories even have a Lakshmi-Parbati Kali song where both goddesses slyly tease the other’s consort and their eccentricities. In the Puri temple tradition, Lakshmi also keeps nagging poor Saraswati. This is a peculiar humanisation of divinity and everyone derives a lot of enjoyment from the unlikely scenario.
The Lakshmi Narayan Kali itself has various retellings. Balarama Dasa, Jagannath Dasa, Gauracharana Dasa, Pindika Srichandana, Bipra Maheswara and many other poets have written their own versions of this squabble. That just goes on to explain how popular the storyline used to be. It still is.
In Gauracharana Dasa’s version, Jagannath decides to keep his cool and stay quiet when Lakshmi scolds him in anger. Lakshmi does not hold back; she scolds him for being with the gopis and takes a dig at Subhadra, who she calls ‘her majesty, a milkman’s daughter.’ Jagannath laughs all the while, chuckling at her complaints but when she scolds the gopis a bit too much, he points out her excessive pride and how her father, the Mahodadhi sea keeps ‘roaring’ all the time.
Atibadi Jagannath Dasa was the creator of the magnum opus Bhagabata in Odia. He lived in the 15th century. In his retelling, Lakshmi calls out Balabhadra for being too laconic and afraid to confront the reality. That is why, in her opinion, he gets away first in his Ratha, unconcerned that his young brother is ignoring his wife. When he returns, Lakshmi conspires with Indra, telling him to ‘throw hailstones on earth’. Poor Jagannath is all exhausted and wet. He almost catches a cold and his lips shiver. Lakshmi tells him ‘be there like you left me!’ and leaves the scene. Jagannath meanwhile bribes the servitors and enters inside.
He finds Lakshmi sitting in a corner, angry and unwilling to talk. Here comes the placating: he shows her the kalameghi saree he has brought for her from the market; the various types of ornaments kanaka dudura, banka daunria, padakamala and suabasa nakachana. But she is not amazed by the shimmer. They enter into another argument until Balabhadra interferes.
Balabhadra shouts “What are you doing Jagannath? You speak so many harsh things to Lakshmi. What do you think you do? She cooks all the food while I bring all the things to run the house. All you do is dress yourself with those silks while sitting like a king. Stop this matter right now or I’ll have to take action.”
Afraid, both of them now become quiet. Jagannath himself adorns Lakshmi with all the ornaments and asks her to forgive his faults. Lakshmi also joins her palms in a gesture of humility.
Quite notably, Jagannath offers her a sweet rasagola to pacify her further. Mentioned in 15th-century Odia texts like the Dandi Ramayana, the Rasagola has its origin in this ancient ritual of the Jagannath Temple of Puri. Sweet tale, isn’t it?
Here ends the majestic Ratha Jatra.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same).
As per a statement by the temple administrator, 3 Maharana servitors (two in-charge of Nandighosha chariot and one of Darpadalana chariot) and 5 Bhoi sevayats engaged in the construction of the three chariots of the Holy Trinity have been found positive with the virus infection, informed Shree Jagannath Temple Administration Development Administrator Ajay Jena.
In the second wave of the Covid pandemic, so far a total of 2 servitors and two family members of sevayats have succumbed to the infection, Jena said.
Currently the construction of Tumba(s), the round axles of the chariot wheels is underway and the number of carpenter and assistant servitors in the Rath works is low, so the cases have not affected the works in any way. But it is believed that once the chariot works speed up, deployment of more number of servitors might create a disconcerting scenario.
Sources said, the Temple Chief Administrator will chair a meeting on the chariot construction works today. Some important aspects regarding Covid guidelines, assistance, roping of extra manpower for chariot works are likely to take centrestage during the meeting.
It may be noted that Puri district administration has ordered sevayats on chariot work duties to stay in quarantine. Over some hundreds of servitors have already been mobilised for the Rath construction after Covid tests.
As per the tradition, farmers kick off their agriculture works after performing puja on farmland. People also prefer to initiate major pious activities or projects like house construction, marriage ceremony on this day.
On the occasion of Akshay Tritiya, the construction of chariots for the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath will also begin from today. The Biswakarma and other Maharana servitors will bring the divine garland of consent (Agyan Mala) from Goddess Charchika in front of Srimandir before commencing the chariot construction as per the vedic rituals at the Ratha Khala on the Bada Danda.
Several set of wood logs from Nayagarh Forest Division have reached the Puri Bada Danda after slicing from Cuttack for the construction of chariots.
Today also marks the commencement of the famous Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri. The first phase of the 21-day festival also called the Bahara Chandan Yatra has begun at the Narendra Puskarini. The second phase of 21-day ceremony will continue inside Puri Jagannath Temple.
Puri district police has clamped section 144 in and around the area of the Puskarini. Five-layered security arrangements have been made for the special occasion. A total of six enforcement teams have been pressed into service for proper implementation of Covid norms during the three-week-long festival.
One additional SP rank officer, 6 DSP, 8 inspectors, 50 constables and 8 platoons of police force have been deployed for the event, informed Puri Collector Samarth Verma.
So far, a total of 250 servitors have been tested for Covid-19 and as per the decision of the temple administration, only those who test negative are being allowed to participate, said the Collector.
After a meeting with servitors and Biswakarmas, Kumar today informed that a proposal has been given to all the Biswakarmas to stay at Bhakta Niwas during the construction work for which all arrangements will be made by the administration.
"We have proposed to make staying arrangements for all the carpenters engaged in the chariot construction work in Puri. There are nearly 150 rooms in two Bhakta Niwas where the servitors will stay if they agree. This will not only ensure safety of their family members, but for all the residents of Puri," said Kumar.
The SJTA Chief Administrator also informed that all the Biswakarmas will be brought to 'Rath-Khala' in buses and an area of 200 feet will be allocated for the construction work so that social distancing is maintained.
Speaking on the development, Puri district collector Balwant Singh said, "Everybody should come forward and make sure that Puri continues remain green zone."
Earlier on Thursday, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) gave its approval to commence the construction of chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Mahaprabhu Jagannath and Devi Subhadra making it clear that the construction activity should be carried out as per COVID-19 lockdown guidelines.
#Odisha gets MHA nod for chariot construction for #RathYatra!
Ratha construction allowed to be undertaken in Ratha-khala situated on both sides of grand road in front of temple office & Sri Nahar; No religious congregation allowed; lockdown guidelines to be followed: MHA pic.twitter.com/LzAdnHvUuP
— OTV (@otvnews) May 7, 2020
The Home Ministry also clarified that the decision regarding holding of Rath Yatra is to be taken by the State Government keeping in view the conditions prevailing during the festival.
In a letter to Odisha Chief Secretary, the MHA said that Rath construction is allowed in the Rath-khala, which is situated on both sides of the Grand Road (Bada Danda) in front of the Srimandir Temple Office and Sri Nahar (Palace).
However, the temple management has been asked to ensure that no religious congregation takes place in the Ratha-khala. This apart, complete segregation of the Rath-khala should be ensured, the letter mentioned.
Sources said, a bench comprising Odisha High Court Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq and Justice SK Mishra while hearing a PIL filed by a senior advocate of the HC, Jayanta Kumar Bal today asked Odisha government to complete the work as per stipulated time.
Court has ordered that the chariot construction work should be completed by June 22 so that the festival can be held without any deviation in tradition, sources with knowledge of the matter said.
The petitioner had made the Centre, Odisha government’s archaeological department, State Chief Secretary, Secretary Home Department, DGP, Puri Collector, SJTA and Puri Gajapati parties in the case.
Responding to the court’s orders, State Advocate General appearing on behalf of the Odisha government has assured the court that since the construction of the chariots is in full swing, the work will be completed in due time.
It may be noted that due to nationwide lockdown imposed in the wake of Covid pandemic, the construction work of all the three chariots of the Holy Trinity started almost 10 days after the scheduled date following lot of speculation. The big decision was taken after the Ministry of Home Affairs allowed Odisha government to commence the construction activity by duly complying with COVID-19 lockdown guidelines.
Sources said, the construction of fitting of hubs and spokes of the chariot wheels is underway at Ratha Khala in Puri. The government has already asked the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration to allow extra-hours for construction work to compensate the loss of time. The authorities have also put up a special arrangement for COVID-19 test of servitors engaged in chariot construction.
Chief administrator of the SJTA, Krishan Kumar informed that the temple admin has sought a list of the servitors for participation in Snana Purnima of Lord Jagannath and His Siblings.
"The Snana Jatra will be performed with least number of participants, which is why we have asked the representatives of different Nijogs to submit a list of servitors' names by May 25," Kumar said.
"Based on the list, servitors will be permitted to participate in the rituals. However, we are yet to decide whether people should be allowed to witness the ceremony. Today's meeting comprised of senior officials and representatives of 10 different Nijogs. We have had a discussion with Daitapati Nijog earlier. Next, we will have talks with the Chhatisa Nijog. A final decision would be taken at the managing committee meeting. Current restrictions don't permit to conduct any ritual outside the temple premises. We will wait till May 31 so that appropriate decision is taken based on the new set of guidelines," added the SJTA chief.
Representatives of different nijogs have been asked to submit lists of servitors by May 25 so that #SnanaYatra rituals of Lord Jagannath can be performed with least number of participants keeping in view #COVID19 crisis: SJTA Chief Administrator Krishan Kumar #RathYatra pic.twitter.com/qeHjgwxta4
— OTV (@otvnews) May 21, 2020
"We had a discussion with the Daitapati Nijog and then an orientation session on COVID-19 was held. There is another session with Garabadu Nijog on 23rd May. By then, a decision will be taken of whether they will be sent to institutional quarantine or put in home quarantine. Every servitor is ready to make sacrifices so that the festival is organised smoothly. The restrictions with which Rath construction is underway will set an example for the Snana Jatra as well," said Puri Collector Balwant Singh.
On the progress of chariot construction, the Collector said, "So far, all samples taken from Maharana servitors for Covid-19 testing have been found to be negative. Compliance of social distancing and other norms has helped a lot. We hope that chariot construction for Rath Yatra will conclude on time."
"The idea is to carry out all rituals of Snana Purnima with participation of a minimum number of servitors. The ones chosen would be given special passes which will facilitate their entry," stated Rajat Kumar Patihari, Secretary of the Garabadu Nijog.
Also Read: Hopes Of Puri Rath Yatra Dying Fast
Also Read: COVID-19 test for servitors engaged in chariot construction
So far a total of 8 petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court urging the three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Sharad Arvind Bobde to modify its order that stopped the Car Festival of the Holy Trinity this year.
Petitioners have requested the court to give special permission for the conduct of Rath Yatra at least in Puri (the abode of the Lord Jagannath if not in other places) and without devotees.
After one Aftab Hossen, Jagannath Sanskruti Jan Jagaran Mancha, International Hindu Mahasabha, Daitapati Nijog, Chhattisa Nijog, Pratihari Nijog knocked the doors of the court yesterday, two more petitioners, Bijan Paikaray & Sanjiv Kumar Chinara moved the top court today and requested for conduct of RathYatra by ordering a complete shutdown of Puri, if needed.
Though the filing of petitions seems to be a silver lining, with only 3 days left to the festival and the beginning of summer vacations of the Supreme Court from today, there is only a small window for getting any modifications to the order.
But it may be noted that the top court can hear urgent matters during the vacation period too. Despite rescheduling its summer vacation from June 22 to July 3 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the court on Friday said that it would continue to hear "matters of urgent nature" via video conferencing.
Meanwhile, amid all uncertainty, the pre-Rath Yatra rituals of the Holy Trinity continued today as usual.
In view of the solar eclipse on June 21, the Nabajauban rituals of the Holy Trinity have already begun in the 12th-century shrine. As per tradition, Kasturi (musk) will be applied on the deities today.
“Traditionally, Banaklagi is observed for three days in Anasara ghara. Kasturi, which is one of the favourite items of the deities, is applied to them,” said senior servitor, Madanmohan Dutta Mohapatra.
On the other hand, the chariot construction is also underway with servitors commencing the ‘Kanamundani’ - draping of decorative cloth on the three chariots.
(Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena)
Odisha Govt Didn’t Present Our Rath Yatra Proposal Before SC: Puri Gajapati
Rath Yatra Cancellation: Puri Gajapati Seeks Reforms For Conduct Of Festival Within Srimandir
The conduct of annual Rath Yatra on the prescribed day (Ashadha Sukla-paksha Dwitiya) is statutorily mandated by the Record of Rights framed under the Puri Shri Jagannath Temple (Administration) Act, 1952 Under Section 15 (1) of Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955 and so the Managing Committee of the shrine is bound to ensure the conduct of Rath Yatra accordingly
- Puri Gajapati.
"In the course of Odisha's long history, Rath Yatra has not been held only when the conduct of the festival has become impossible as for instance during attacks by Mughals during 16th, 17th and 18th centuries when the Lords had to be hidden in remote places. The yatra has not been stopped for any other reason whatsoever and has been faithfully performed even in the midst of the worst natural disasters and epidemics," Gajapati pointed out in the letter to the Odisha CM.
He mentioned that the present Covid pandemic is not a situation which renders impossible the conduct of Rath Yatra, since as suggested by the Srimandir managing committee in its meeting on May 30, the yatra in Puri can be held without any public congregation.
The Puri scion has also noted that if the Rath Yatra is not held in Puri this year, it will hurt the religious sentiments of countless devotees across the world.
He further added that Rath Yatra in Puri is of special significance and it should not be stopped, even if the festival and other religious functions are not permitted elsewhere due to the Covid pandemic restrictions.
The makers of the gigantic chariots, which is pulled by lakhs of devotees, include a number of biswakarmas (carpenters), blacksmiths, roopakaras (painters), darzis (tailors) and 'Bhoi' servitors who supply logs to the carpenters who have been connected to it for generations.
The nine-day Rath Yatra festival in this seaside pilgrim town will begin on June 23 and the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee and the servitors of the 12th- century shrine have urged the Odisha government to file a fresh application in the Supreme Court, seeking modification of its order.
The Rath Yatra has continued uninterrupted since 1736. It could not take place 32 times between 1558 and 1735.
"I was shocked to hear the news about the Supreme Court's order. I came to know it when giving final touches to the chariot," said Bijay Kumar Mahapatra, the chief carpenter of 'Nandighosh', Lord Jagannath's chariot.
"Never before I have seen such a situation when chariots will not be used even after being completed. I have been engaged in chariot making since childhood. My father and grandfather also made chariots for the deities," said 65- year-old Narasingha Mahapatra, the chief carpenter of Lord Balabhadra's chariot 'Taladhwaja'.
With tears rolling down his cheeks, Narasingha Mahapatra asked, "What was the point in putting us through corona tests and keeping us in isolation if the chariots will not roll on Bada Danda (Grand Road in front of the shrine)? I cannot tolerate such a situation."
Most of those who were engaged in the construction of the chariots of the deity and his two siblings said that they work not for money, but out of love, affection and above all respect for Lord Jagannath.
"Nobody, including us, can construct such beautiful chariots anywhere other than at the Ratha Khala (temple workshop). It is all the Lord's wishes for which the attractive chariots can be built by the people who have no institutional education," he said.
The carpenters said that the technique of chariot making was passed on by generations and not through any formal education.
Every year the three chariots are made of wood brought from Daspalla forest in Nayagarh district. The government has also exclusive 'Jagannath Bana Prakalpa', a massive plantation project which provides logs for the purpose.
'Nandighosh', the chariot of Lord Jagannath, is the tallest at 45 feet with 16 wheels, while Lord Balabhadra's 'Taladhwaja' is 44 feet high with 14 wheels. Their sister Devi Subhadra's chariot 'Darpadalana' is 43 feet high and has 2 wheels.
About 45 days are required for the construction of the chariots starting from Akshaya Tritiya.
"This year, we were allowed to work from May 8 instead of April 26, the date of Akshaya Tritiya, due to the lockdown.
The state government opened up the Ratha Khala after getting permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs. We worked very hard and completed the construction of the Rathas before time," said Bijay Kumar Mahapatra.
The chariots are decorated with flowers, birds, arches, idols and horses all made of wood. The carpenters were busy giving their final touches on Saturday even after knowing that the apex court's order.
"We are hopeful that the court will change its decision," he said.
The chariots are as a practice dismantled after the festival and the wood is used in the temple kitchen.
"We will not allow it this year. The chariots should be allowed to stand as they are for the devotees to pay their respect," said Rabi Maharana, a young carpenter.
He cursed his fate for spending 40 days in isolation without going home adhering to the government guidelines so that he could build the chariots.Maharana was among the more than 150 carpenters who were lodged at Jatri Niwas here for constructing the chariots in the temple workshop. A plea was filed in the Supreme Court on Friday, seeking recall of its order on the Puri Rath Yatra.
A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde had Thursday said that in the interest of public health and safety of citizens, this year's Rath Yatra in the Odisha pilgrim town cannot be allowed and "Lord Jagannath won't forgive us if we allow" it.
(PTI)
Read More:
Allow Rath Yatra In Puri As Special Case: Gajapati To CM Naveen