Puri, July 11: With the world-famous Puri Rath Yatra just days away, the construction of the three majestic chariots has reached its final stage. On Saturday, the ceremonial ‘Kalash’ and ‘Olata Shua’ were installed atop all three chariots, marking a key milestone in the annual chariot-building process.

Following temple tradition, the ‘Bhoi’ servitors installed the sacred ‘Kalash’ on the chariots after receiving instructions from the Chief Vishwakarma (master carpenter). The ritual concluded with the chanting of the ‘Ashtama Haribol’, a significant ceremonial practice associated with the final phase of chariot construction.

The next stage of work will involve installing the ‘Singhasan’ (throne) inside the chariots, followed by the ‘Prabha’, the decorative back panel. The deities will be seated on the throne before the ‘Prabha’ is fixed behind them.

Chariot construction had slowed over the past few days due to continuous rainfall in Puri. With the weather improving on Saturday, work resumed on the upper portions of the chariots, allowing artisans and servitors to make rapid progress.

Meanwhile, ‘Chitrakar’ servitors are busy painting the three traditional charioteers at a temporary workshop near the ‘Ratha Khala’. The charioteer of Lord Balabhadra's ‘Taladhwaja’ chariot is ‘Matali’, Lord Jagannath's ‘Nandighosha’ chariot is driven by ‘Daruka’, while Goddess Subhadra's ‘Darpadalana’ (Debadalana) chariot is associated with Arjuna, though some traditions identify the charioteer as ‘Devadatta’ or ‘Satyaki’.

While new charioteer idols are carved only during the ‘Nabakalebara’ festival, they are repainted every year, adorned in fresh attire, and ceremonially placed on their respective chariots ahead of the Rath Yatra.

In parallel, ‘Darji’ servitors are stitching new costumes for the charioteers at the ‘Duar Ghara Chandrashala’, embellishing them with floral patterns, zari lace and decorative vine motifs. ‘Ojha’ servitors are also engaged in the blacksmith workshop, preparing iron spikes and other metal fittings required for emergency repairs during the annual chariot festival.