In the sacred town of Puri, Odisha, the commencement of the construction works for the majestic chariots that will grace the annual Rath Yatra festival was marked with traditional rituals on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya. The ceremonial initiation of the chariot construction began with revered rituals conducted by the Pujapanda servitor, who brought the Agyan Mala (permission from the Lords) to the Ratha Khala, the designated workshop for crafting the grand chariots. Afternoon prayers were offered to the sibling deities at the Jagannath temple before the proceedings commenced.
The site of the temporary workshop, erected at a distance from the temple along the Grand Road, saw the presence of sacred logs earmarked for the construction, each meticulously selected and sanctified. The Biswakarma Maharana, a skilled artisan, adorned the logs with holy cloth, signifying the commencement of the sacred endeavor. Subsequently, token cutting of the logs was carried out with a golden axe, a symbolic act performed by the servitors amidst chants and hymns.
Following age-old traditions, the construction of the chariots commenced in a specific sequence, starting with the Taladhwaja chariot dedicated to Lord Balabhadra. This was succeeded by the crafting of the Nandighosa chariot for Lord Jagannath and then the Darpadalana chariot for Devi Subhadra, each imbued with spiritual significance and meticulous craftsmanship. The Rath Yatra, one of the most revered festivals in the region, is scheduled to be celebrated with grandeur on July 7th.
Simultaneously, another significant ritual, the 21-day Chandan Yatra, commenced at the sacred Narendra tank. Representing the divine triad of Lords Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, the deities Madan Mohan, Shridevi, and Bhudevi were ceremoniously brought in a procession to the holy tank. Amidst the fervent devotion of thousands of devotees, the deities were placed in boats, symbolizing the commencement of water sports as part of the Chandan Yatra festivities.
In the sacred town of Puri, Odisha, the commencement of the construction works for the majestic chariots that will grace the annual Rath Yatra festival was marked with traditional rituals on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya. The ceremonial initiation of the chariot construction began with revered rituals conducted by the Pujapanda servitor, who brought the Agyan Mala (permission from the Lords) to the Ratha Khala, the designated workshop for crafting the grand chariots. Afternoon prayers were offered to the sibling deities at the Jagannath temple before the proceedings commenced.
The site of the temporary workshop, erected at a distance from the temple along the Grand Road, saw the presence of sacred logs earmarked for the construction, each meticulously selected and sanctified. The Biswakarma Maharana, a skilled artisan, adorned the logs with holy cloth, signifying the commencement of the sacred endeavor. Subsequently, token cutting of the logs was carried out with a golden axe, a symbolic act performed by the servitors amidst chants and hymns.
Following age-old traditions, the construction of the chariots commenced in a specific sequence, starting with the Taladhwaja chariot dedicated to Lord Balabhadra. This was succeeded by the crafting of the Nandighosa chariot for Lord Jagannath and then the Darpadalana chariot for Devi Subhadra, each imbued with spiritual significance and meticulous craftsmanship. The Rath Yatra, one of the most revered festivals in the region, is scheduled to be celebrated with grandeur on July 7th.
Simultaneously, another significant ritual, the 21-day Chandan Yatra, commenced at the sacred Narendra tank. Representing the divine triad of Lords Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, the deities Madan Mohan, Shridevi, and Bhudevi were ceremoniously brought in a procession to the holy tank. Amidst the fervent devotion of thousands of devotees, the deities were placed in boats, symbolizing the commencement of water sports as part of the Chandan Yatra festivities.
