Puri: Ahead of the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and siblings, the traditional Chaka-Akha Dera Niti ritual was performed in Odisha’s Puri on Saturday.
The ceremony coincided with the auspicious Bhaunri Yatra, marking an important milestone in the construction of the three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.
After receiving divine permission, artisans connected the newly crafted wheels to the axles of the chariots. The ritual symbolises the beginning of the mechanical assembly phase of the chariots. Following the ceremony, the completed wheels were moved to designated areas within the Rath Khala for safe storage.
So far, 19 wheels for the three chariots have been completed. The Rath Amin has provided four sets of 20-foot-long Dhaura wood for constructing the front beams and Joka sections. The Maharana servitors have begun work on five Joka and four Muhanta structures, continuing the traditional craftsmanship that defines the grandeur of the festival.
Sources said that artisans had finished crafting essential components such as Sal Guz, Tikh Guz, Jal Yantra, Kuduka, Ora, and one Singhasan set by Friday. They also completed the cutting of three Thakia Raha beams, ensuring steady progress toward the chariot assembly.
