Puri: The cutting of wood for construction of the three chariots for the annual Rath Yatra began at Cuttack on Sunday.
As per the rituals, a team of servitors from Puri reached the government saw mill at Khapuria with the Agyan Mala or holy garland of Lord Jagannath for the consecration ceremony. The team was led by superintendent of Rath works, Sudarshan Mekap.
After the divine permission, three logs of Dhaura wood have been sliced at the saw mill.
As per the long-followed tradition, the timber logs will be sliced till all the specified numbers of pieces are prepared for commencement of the construction works of the chariots from the day of Akshay Tritiya.
The construction of the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra takes place near the royal palace of the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
According to the usual practice, 865 logs of Dhaura, Phasi, Asana are generally used in the construction of the three magnificent wooden chariots.
The Rath Yatra of the Holy Trinity is scheduled to be held this year on July 1.
