Puri: Special rituals are being performed by the servitors of Jagannath Temple here for construction of chariots on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Tuesday.
As per tradition, Akshaya Tritiya marks the beginning of chariot construction for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings.
The temple administration has received Dhaura logs from South Ghumusur of Bhanjanagar in Ganjam district and Boudh forest range.
The logs measuring 20 feet, 12 feet and 40 feet have reached the temple town.
The servitors require 865 logs of wood. Of this, the temple administration has received nearly 536 logs while 80 are surplus logs from last year. The rest of the logs are slated to reach the chariot construction site (Ratha Khala) on the Bada Danda in the next few days, said Sudarshan Mekap, senior chairot work caretaker of the SJTA.
Servitors are scheduled to bring the Agyan Mala for the three logs of wood for the three chariots after at around 5 pm. After the ‘Agyan Mala’ (divine permission) to the servitors will perform puja and cutting of wood will begin for construction of chariots.
The Rath Yatra will be celebrated on July 1 this year.
Chandan Yatra:
On the other hand, the temple administration has made special arrangements for the water sports festival ‘Chandan Yatra’ of the temple deities.
All preparations have been made for Chandan Jatra this year. Platoons of police force have been deployed for security, traffic arrangement, drinking water arrangement, electric and health services arrangement.
After a gap of two years this time the famous Chandan Jatra will be held in the presence of devotees. The Narendra Pokhari (pond) of Puri has been decked up for the Chandan Jatra.
