Puri: Bada Danda (Grand Road) at Odisha’s Puri witnessed the “chaka dera anukula” ritual on the occasion of Bhaunri festival on Tuesday as part of preparations for annual Rath Yatra on July 7.
The chaka dera anukula niti is conducted before the wheels are attached to the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra.
The ritual on Tuesday started with the arrival of Agyan Mala through which the sibling deities give permission for the task. Garlands sent by the Lords from inside the temple signify their consent.
The ritual conducted by the servitors started from Lord Balabhadra’s chariot Taladhwaja and was followed by Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosa and Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana chariot.
About 200 carpenters from Maharana and Bhoi communities are engaged in the construction of the three chariots. After the ritual, they now have permission to attach the wheels to the chariots.
