Puri, July 14: With just a day left for the world-famous Rath Yatra, preparations for the annual festival in Puri have entered the final phase. On the occasion of ‘Ubha Yatra’ on Tuesday, the ‘Agyan Mala’ (divine garland signifying the deities' approval) of the Holy Trinity will be ceremonially taken to the Rath Khala. Following the ritual, the three chariots will be moved from the chariot construction yard towards the Singhadwara of the Shree Jagannath Temple.

Construction and decoration of the three chariots are progressing at a rapid pace, with most of the major works already completed. The installation of the ‘Thekera Bada’ (side barricades) has been finished, while brass sheet coverings have been fixed on the ‘Kanaka Mundi’. The process of draping the chariots with traditional coloured cloth is also underway.

The installation of the ‘Prabha’, the decorative back panels of the chariots, has been completed by the Bhoi servitors. Meanwhile, the Darji servitors have completed stitching and joining the cloth required for the chariots. They have also supplied the cloth for the ‘Chandra Shali’ and ‘Duara Bedha’ to the ‘Kotha Suansia servitors’, who are carrying out the installation work. The cloth work for the wheels and ‘Apsara’ decorations has also been completed, while work on the ‘Uda Chandua’ and ‘Kanaka Mundi Chandua’ is continuing.

The ‘Kotha Suansia servitors’ are engaged in covering the chariots with the traditional fabric, while the ‘Chitrakar servitors’ are giving the final touches to the paintings on the exterior portions of the three chariots. Painting of the wooden horses and the charioteers has also reached the final stage.

With all rituals and construction work progressing as scheduled, the three majestic chariots are expected to be ready well ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, drawing lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad.