Puri: In a divine gesture of gratitude toward the guardians of sacred tradition, the Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA) today honored the selfless devotees who offered the rare Phasi wood required for the construction of the holy chariots of the Chaturdha Murti. The ceremony, steeped in spiritual fervor, took place at the Srimandir Headquarters in the holy city of Puri.
During the auspicious gathering, Shri Sri Gajapati Maharaja Dibya Singha Deb, the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, along with SJTA Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, felicitated 69 noble donors of the year 2025. These individuals voluntarily provided the precious timber from their private lands, ensuring that the wheels of the Nandighosa, Taladhwaja, and Debadalana chariots can be crafted according to the centuries-old Vedic specifications.
The Phasi wood (Anogeissus acuminata) is considered indispensable for the Rath Jatra as it possesses the unique strength and resilience required for the load-bearing axles and wheels of the massive wooden structures. As natural reserves of this rare timber in the forests have dwindled over the decades, the temple administration has increasingly relied on the “Jagannath Bana Prakalpa” and the profound devotion of private landowners who nurture these trees as a sacred duty to the Lord.
Acknowledging the logistical and environmental efforts involved in this sacred task, officials from the Department of Forest were also recognized for their dedicated service in identifying, harvesting, and transporting the logs to the Ratha Khala (chariot construction yard). This ceremony serves as a testament to the enduring bond between the Mahaprabhu and His devotees, whose humble offerings of nature’s bounty remain the foundation of the world-famous Festival of Chariots.