Tuhina Sahoo
Puri, May 10: Akshay Tritiya, a reverred occasion celebrated nationwide, is not only festivities but also marks the commencement of preparations for the grand Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha.
On the other hand, the urbanites flock to jewelry shops to grab Akshay Tritiya discounts,while rural Odisha resonates with traditional fervor, where communities engage in customary festivities and offer prayers for a prosperous harvest.
In Puri, the sanctity of the day is heightened as three logs are consecrated with the agyan mala, symbolizing Lord Jagannath's permission, initiating the construction of the iconic chariots. Carpenters commence their work near the Jagannath temple, crafting the three chariots from 12-feet logs of soura katha.
Simultaneously, the Chandan Yatra, a reverred summer festival of the deities at the Puri temple, unfolds. Representative deities, Madanmohan, Bhudevi, Sridevi, and Panchu Pandava, are ceremoniously paraded to the Narendra pond, where they participate in the ritualistic "chappa khela" (boating sports) to seek respite from the scorching heat.
Naresh Chandra Dash, Cultural Researcher- Today, on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya, vibrant festivities of Rath Yatra preparation have kicked off alongside the commencement of Chandan Yatra, marking a significant milestone in the reverred Shri Jagannath Cult.
As the day unfolds, the idols of Madanmohan, Bhudevi, Sridevi, Ramakrushna, and Panchu Pandav, along with Jambeswar, Loknath, Markandeswar, Kapalamochana, and Nilakantheswar, participate in the sacred Chapa, or water sports ritual.
In a grand procession en route Narendra pond, a pivotal stop occurs in front of Shree Nahara, Puri king's palace. Here, amidst the bustling thoroughfare, priests from Shree Mandir, alongside the revered Shrotiya Brahmins, meticulously conduct all the requisite rituals at the chariot construction yard.
Following the completion of the Puja ceremony, agnyanmalas, symbolizing divine permission, are reverently placed on a 12-feet dhaura log, heralding the commencement of chariot construction for the upcoming Rath Yatra.
The urban areas witness a flurry of activity as people throng jewelry shops, enticed by lucrative discounts and complimentary offerings. While some embrace the belief of acquiring good fortune through gold purchases on Akshay Tritiya, rural communities uphold age-old traditions, preferring rituals before sowing seeds ceremonially.
Dipen Das, Store Manager,
Khimji Jewellers, Bhubaneswar
Over the past week or so, there has been a consistent increase in footfall at our shop. This Akshay Tritiya, we're thrilled to present enticing offers: a 50% discount on making charges, 20% off on silver making, and 15% off on MRP items of silver. Traditionally, purchasing gold on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya is believed to bring good fortune.
With our 'The Grand Akshay Tritiya Sale,' we aim to provide our customers with the chance to bring home joy and prosperity by maximizing the benefits from our brand. We are dedicated to offering the finest quality jewellery to all our valued patrons in Odisha, and we remain committed to upholding our brand's values of trust and transparency in the future.
Reflecting the spirit of community and devotion, temples and mutts across the state organize mass public feasts and offer food to the deities, coinciding with the celebration of Lord Parsuram's birthday.
As the auspicious day unfolds, Odisha resonates with a blend of tradition, devotion, and anticipation, marking the onset of Rath Yatra preparations and a celebration of cultural heritage.
