Sacred Chariot Construction for Puri Rath Yatra Commences on Auspicious Akshaya Tritiya
The annual Rath Yatra in Puri, one of India's most revered festivals, has officially begun its preparatory phase with the ceremonial start of chariot construction. On Monday, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the sacred process of building the massive wooden chariots for Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra was initiated at the Ratha Khala worksite near the iconic Jagannath Temple.
Ritualistic Beginning with Sacred Logs and Prayers
Amidst the resonant sounds of Vedic hymns, conch shells, and traditional drumbeats, temple servitors ceremonially placed the first sacred wooden logs at the designated construction site. This ritual commencement followed the temple's formal granting of the Agyan Mala, or garland of permission, marking divine authorization for the construction work to proceed.
Following elaborate prayers and rituals, the skilled Vishwakarma servitors—the hereditary carpenter community—officially began the intricate construction process that will continue until the chariots are ready for the grand procession scheduled for July 16.
Massive Scale of Chariot Construction
The construction involves an impressive quantity of specialized timber. According to temple officials:
- Nandighosh Chariot (Lord Jagannath): 45.6 feet high, requiring 742 wooden logs of various species
- Taladhwaja Chariot (Lord Balabhadra): 45 feet high, requiring 731 wooden logs
- Darpadalana Chariot (Goddess Subhadra): 44.6 feet high, requiring 711 wooden logs
Approximately 200 skilled artisans and servitors are engaged in this sacred construction work, including carpenters, Bhoi servitors, blacksmiths, woodcutters, tailors, and painters. A temple official confirmed, "We have received most of the required timber from the forest department. A ceremonial puja marked the start of the construction."
Simultaneous Commencement of Chandan Yatra
The auspicious day also marked the beginning of the 42-day Chandan Yatra at the Jagannath Temple, observed in two distinct phases:
- Bahara Chandan (Outer Phase): Lasting 21 days, during which representative idols of deities—Madanmohan, Rama, Krishna, Laxmi, and Saraswati—are taken in procession to the sacred Narendra tank for evening water sports. They are accompanied by the five Shivas known as Pancha Pandavas (Lokanath, Yameswar, Markandaya, Kapal Mochan, and Nilakantha).
- Bhitara Chandan (Inner Phase): Also lasting 21 days, observed inside the temple with special rituals performed by servitors.
During the outer phase, the idols are placed in ceremonial boats—Madanmohan, Laxmi, and Saraswati in one boat, and Rama, Krishna, and the Pancha Pandavas in another—for a sacred cruise accompanied by traditional music and dance performances.
Strict Security Measures and Fireworks Ban
In light of safety concerns, Puri police have announced strict enforcement of the government's ban on fireworks and crackers during the festival period. Superintendent of Police (Puri) Prateek Singh stated, "Adequate personnel have been deployed for the safety of devotees. Fireworks and crackers are prohibited."
This precautionary measure comes in response to the tragic incident at Narendra tank on May 29, 2024, when explosions from high-intensity crackers during Chandan Yatra celebrations claimed the lives of 17 devotees, including seven minors.
The combined commencement of both chariot construction and Chandan Yatra marks the beginning of an intensive period of spiritual preparation leading up to the grand Rath Yatra procession in July, drawing millions of devotees from across India and the world to witness this sacred spectacle.
