As Odisha Celebrates Akshaya Tritiya, Lord Jagannath’s Chandan Yatra & Chariot Construction Begins Today

Puri: As people in Odisha are celebrating the agrarian festival of Akshaya Tritiya on Friday, elaborate arrangements have also been made for Lord Jagannath’s famous Chandan Yatra in the pilgrim town of Puri.The annual festival, which marks the commencement of agricultural operations with sowing of paddy seeds before the onset of monsoon in the state, is considered auspicious for beginning of new initiatives.

Considered highly significant in Shree Jagannath culture, Akshaya Tritiya also heralds the beginning of the construction of chariots for the annual Rath Yatra of the sibling deities.While construction of three giant chariots for the car festival will commence at the ‘Rath Khala’ on the Grand Road outside Shree Jagannath Temple in the seaside pilgrim town, the 21-day Chandan Yatra will be organised in sacred Narendra tank.

Sources said servitors are scheduled to bring the Agyan Mala for the three logs of wood for the three chariots in the afternoon. After getting the ‘Agyan Mala’ (divine permission), the servitors will perform puja and cutting of wood will begin for construction of chariots. The Rath Yatra will be celebrated on July 7 this year.

During Chandan Yatra, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra enjoy water sports to beat the summer heat.Madan Mohan, the representative idol of Lord Jagannath, along with the representative idols of Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, Bhudevi, Sridevi and five Shivalingas known as Pancha Pandavas will be taken out of the sanctum sanctorum, placed in lavishly decorated palanquins, known as bimanas and taken in a procession to Narendra tank. This festival lasts for 21 days.
Final touches have been given by the Vishwakarma servitors to two giant swan-shaped boats-Nanda and Bhadra.

Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri district administration, and police have made elaborate arrangements in and around the 12th century shrine to ensure smooth conduct of the rituals and maintain peace as a large number of devotees from across Odisha and outside the state are visiting the temple on the occasion.Security has been tightened and police force in strength deployed to ensure smooth darshan by devotees in a disciplined manner and maintain law and order.