Puri: As part of the construction of three chariots for Rath Yatra of sibling deities of Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Puri town, the ritual of Chakadera Niti (fixing he axle to wheel) was performed on Friday.
In order to perform the ritual, two wheels and axle of each chariot were brought from the Rathakhala (temporary chariot making workshop) and kept in front of the office of the temple administration. After Paniapata servitors poured holy water on these chariot parts, Kamar servitors fixed the accessories to the wheels and axles and applied Polanga oil.
As per the tradition, Angyamala (garlands as symbol of permission from the Lords) was brought from the Jagannath temple in a procession to the spot. On the direction of Biswakarma carpenters, the servitors fixed the axle to the wheels.
Thousands of devotees had turned up to witness the rituals in the Pilgrim Town. The rituals, which were started 2 hours late, were completed without any disturbances. The local administration had deployed 3 platoons of police to maintain law and order during the rituals.
Chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Ranjan Das told the media persons that around 30 wheels of the three chariots are already ready. The construction works of the chariots would be completed before the deadline, he added.
