Chariot Work Starts in Puri

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Representative idols of Jagannath Temple enjoy cool voyage
on occasion of auspicious Akshaya Tritita
[ Click for large version ]
Photos: Sampradaya Sun

Apr 25, 2012 — JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — The construction of three wooden chariots for Lord Jagannath's ensuing Rath Yatra at Puri began on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Tuesday. The annual car festival will be observed on June 21st. The construction work began soon after the performance of a ceremonial ritual by temple priests. The making of the giant chariots is likely to be completed just three days before the nine-day festivity.

"While most of the timbers required for the construction of the chariots have reached here, the rest will reach here very soon," said Laxmidhar Pujapanda, the Jagannath Temple's Public Relations Officer.

Every year, a whopping 13,000 cubic feet wood to the tune of nearly Rs 52 Lakh is required for the three colossal chariots. Not less than 1,000 trees of different species are felled every year for the purpose of making the chariots.

The height of Taladhwaja chariot (of Lord Balabhadra) will be 45 ft, Nandighos (of Jagannath) 45.6 ft and Devidalan (of goddess Subhadra) 44.6 ft, sources said.

Priests perform puja prior to beginning of chariot construction in Puri
[ Click for large version ]

Nearly seventy-five carpenters will be engaged in the first phase, sources informed. Besides, nearly 70 assistants (bhois), 10 blacksmiths, 22 painters and some traditional tailors will also be engaged in giving finishing touch to the chariots, sources said.

This year's budget for the grand festival has been pegged at nearly Rs two crore, sources said.

Meanwhile, coinciding with the Akshaya Tritiya, the Jagannath Temple administration started the 21-day Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath. To beat the heat, the representative idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra were brought out of the sanctum sanctorum to enjoy the cool voyage in Narendra pond. Pilgrims from far-off regions are thronging the temple town to view the Lords' voyage.