Nayagarh, June 24: The preparations for Rath Yatra in Odisha's Nayagarh are in full swing, with the construction of the chariots and other necessary arrangements being carried out at a rapid pace. The artisans are putting the finishing touches on the chariots, with the final strokes of paint being applied to the surface of the chariots by the painters. Meanwhile, the administration has completed all preparations for the successful and smooth conduct of the procession.
200 years ago, Nayagarh Jagannath temple was constructed by King Vinayak Singh Manadhata, the 20th ruler of Nayagarh. Although there is no documented evidence of the exact beginning of the Rath Yatra, it is known to have been celebrated during the time of King Vinayak, initially started with four chariots, which were later reduced to three.
Three chariots are currently under construction for this year’s Rath Yatra, similar to the ones built in Puri. The heights of the chariots are as follows:
Balabhadra's chariot: 32 feet
Jagannath's chariot: 35 feet
Subhadra's chariot: 30 feet
The chariots of Jagannath and Balabhadra each have 12 wheels, while Subhadra’s chariot has 8 wheels. The chariot-making process is being overseen by skilled artisans, who are focused on ensuring that the final creation is both beautiful and sturdy.
The head of the team of artisans, Harihara Maharana, has stated that the construction work on the chariots will be completed before the Nabajouban Darshan on the 26th June, with the finishing touches being applied during the Kanaghera ceremony.
In addition to the chariot construction, devotional programs are being organized daily throughout the days leading up to the procession. The Gundicha Yatra, which involves the deities traveling to the Gundicha temple, is scheduled for the 27th June. After the Chhera Pahanra ceremony on the afternoon, the main event of Rath Yatra will begin, with the chariots being pulled by thousands of devotees.
This year, a large turnout of devotees is expected to attend the event, and the administration has made extensive arrangements to manage the crowd and ensure security. Every year, devotees from across the region gather in large numbers to witness the procession, and this year is expected to see an even larger crowd.
