Puri: The air in the holy town of Puri reverberated with spiritual fervor today as the ‘Ratha Anukula’ ritual was observed on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya, signifying the commencement of the construction of the magnificent chariots for the annual Rath Jatra of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, and sister Devi Subhadra.
Following age-old traditions, designated servitors of the revered 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple performed a sacred ‘yajna’ at the Ratha Khala, the dedicated chariot construction yard. Adding to the solemnity of the occasion, the ‘ajyanmallya’ – holy garlands representing Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra – were brought in a ceremonial procession from the Srimandir. These divine emblems were then respectfully handed over to the three Biswakarmas, the chief carpenters entrusted with the herculean task of building the chariots.
In a symbolic gesture of entrusting responsibility, the Biswakarmas were presented with traditional headgears. Simultaneously, three Dhaura timber logs, chosen specifically for their strength and auspiciousness, were consecrated, marking the first step in the chariot construction process. Notably, the chariots for the annual Rath Yatra are uniquely constructed anew each year using the wood of specified trees such as phassi and dhausa.
The auspicious ceremony was graced by the presence of the Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, along with Puri Collector, Siddhartha Shankar Swain, Superintendent of Police (SP) Vinit Agrawal, and other temple and district officials.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Padhee expressed his optimism, stating, “The construction of the chariots has begun today, and with the divine blessings of Lord Jagannath, we are confident that the chariots will be completed on time, ensuring the smooth conduct of the Rath Jatra.”
In a significant step towards enhancing devotee outreach, Dr. Padhee also announced the launch of the SJTA’s official YouTube channel. “This platform will provide devotees across the globe with timely and authentic information related to the temple and its rituals,” he added.
Adding to the day’s spiritual significance, the 21-day Chandan Jatra of the Holy Trinity also commenced today. The representative idol of Lord Jagannath, Madan Mohan, along with other deities, was ceremoniously placed in the Maniviman palanquin and carried to the sacred Narendra Pokhari (tank). They were accompanied by the Panchu Pandavas in another palanquin, with the Bimanbadus, a special group of servitors, carrying the palanquins on their shoulders.
Upon reaching the Narendra Pokhari, the deities were escorted to the ‘Chandan Chakada’ and placed aboard the beautifully decorated swan-shaped boats named Nanda and Bhadra for the traditional ‘Chapa Khela’ – a leisurely boat ride. The deities were offered ‘Mandya bhog’, a special delicacy, and adorned with fragrant flowers, adding to the visual spectacle.
Puri SP Vinit Agrawal assured that comprehensive police arrangements have been put in place to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of both the chariot construction work and the Chandan Jatra. He also reiterated that the bursting of firecrackers will be strictly prohibited during the entire Jatra period.
The commencement of the ‘Ratha Anukula’ and the beginning of the Chandan Jatra mark the joyous anticipation for the grand Rath Jatra, drawing devotees and onlookers alike to witness the majestic spectacle of the Lord’s annual sojourn.