Bid To Promote Odisha’s Jagannath Culture: Nandighosha Wheels To Be Sent Abroad

Puri: In a bid to promote Jagannath culture across the globe, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Odisha’s Puri district has decided to sell off ‘ratha chakas’ (chariot wheels) and other wooden items of the deities which are lying unused after the Rath Yatra.

An official of the temple administration confirmed that the chariot wheels and other wooden parts will be sold out at the prices determined by the SJTA. This will help in wider promotion and propagation of the Jagannath culture across the country as well as abroad, he added.

Significantly, some wheels of Nandighosha, the chariot  of Lord Jagannath, will be sent abroad as two outfits have submitted their applications for this. The temple administration has approved two applications on Friday in this connection. A total of 60 applications have been received so far, sources said.

However, it is not known to which countries the two wheels are going to be sent.

Sources said, about 50 per cent of the stocked wheels will be sold through auction to the outfits working for promotion of Jagannath culture while remaining 50 per cent will be distributed among some socio-cultural and religious institutions in the country.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of ‘Rathachaka Bikri Nirdharana Committee’ in the Holy City on Friday to determine the prices of ‘ratha chaka’, ‘prabha’ and ‘guja’. It was learnt that there are 140 used ‘ratha chakas’ on the premises of the Sri Gundicha temple.

The meeting was presided over by SJTA administrator (Niti) Jitendra Kumar Sahu. Members of the Temple Management Committee Durga Prasad Das Mohapatra, Madhab Chandra Mohapatra, Ananta Tiadi and Jagannath Kar among others attended the meeting.

It was learnt that the temple administration has received 60 applications for buying car wheels. “Price of a car wheel has been fixed at Rs 50,000; that of a ‘prabha’ at Rs 25,000 and a ‘guja’ at Rs 10,000. The institutions and outfits which are promoting the Jagannath culture will be given priority to buy these items,” said administrator Sahu.

However, a guideline has been prepared for buyers of the car wheels and other items.

This apart, a decision was also taken to display car wheels at strategic locations such as Dharmasalas along the Grand Road, at the State Museum and in front of the state secretariat.

The administration will donate car wheels to ‘Lilaksheatras of Lord Jagannath and the places from where timbers have been collected for ‘Nabakalebara.’

The buyers will have to abide by the guidelines keeping in mind suitable places so as to maintain their sanctity. The name of the temple administration will be mentioned at these places.

“If any institution or outfit is found to be violating the guideline, legal action will be taken against them,” it was said.