Puri: On the hallowed day of Bhounri Utshav, a significant stride was made in the divine craftsmanship for the annual Rath Jatra of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra.
In a deeply spiritual ceremony, the Biswakarma servitors, the celestial artisans of this sacred undertaking, reverently fixed the wheels onto the axles of the three majestic chariots. This auspicious act marks a crucial milestone in the chariot construction, signifying that a major portion of this intricate and devotion-filled work has been accomplished.
Following ancient tradition, the ‘ajyanmallya’ – sacred garlands representing the divine blessings of Lord Jagannath, Debi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra – were brought forth from the sanctum sanctorum of the Srimandir in a solemn procession.
These blessed garlands were then respectfully handed over to the three Principal Biswakarmas, the Chief Carpenters entrusted with the sacred duty of building the Lord’s chariots. This symbolic exchange imbues the artisans and their work with the divine grace and blessings of the deities.
Witnessing this sacred ritual were the Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Dr Arabinda Padhee, and Puri SP Vinit Agrawal, underscoring the importance and sanctity of this occasion.
With divine blessings invoked, the Biswakarmas proceeded to meticulously fix the wheels to the robust axles. This significant step, known as ‘Chaka Dera’, signifies the completion of the construction of all the ‘Dandaa’ (horizontal beams) along with the secure attachment of all the wheels to their respective axles for the three colossal chariots. The rhythmic sounds of the artisans at work echoed the devotion and dedication poured into every piece of the Lord’s vehicles.
As the sacred wheels are now firmly in place, the chariots stand a step closer to their magnificent form, ready to embark on the grand journey of the Rath Jatra, scheduled for the auspicious day of June 27th this year.
The construction of these divine vehicles commenced on the holy occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on April 30th, and the progress witnessed on Bhounri Utshav fills the hearts of devotees with anticipation for the Lord’s annual sojourn.
This sacred tradition, carried forward through generations, continues to inspire awe and devotion, uniting countless souls in the divine embrace of Lord Jagannath.