Construction of chariots for Ratha Jatra to begin today

Puri: Today is the holy Akshaya Trutiya. As per the tradition, the construction of chariots for the upcoming world famous Rathyatra 2025 will begin today in Puri of Odisha.

Also, the 42 day long famous Chandan Yatra will begin in the holy city of Puri today.

After the ‘Dwarafita’ (opening of the gates) ritual at 4 am, the interior was cleaned and sanctified and then the Mangala Alati was offered.

It has been decided that the Madhyanha Dhupa ritual will be performed between 1:15 pm and 2:30 pm.

After the Madhyanha Dhupa, three Angyanmala (garland of order) of the three deities of Srimandira will come from the temple and then the chariot construction work will commence according to the Banajaga ritual.

The temple priests (Deula Purohita), the Rajguru of the Srinaar, the Shostriya Brahmins will perform the yagna in a specially built yagnashala. The yagna will be offered to the Ishtadev Prabhu Nrusingha with the mantra of Nrusingha.

According to the special rituals, the temple priest will first touch the three wood logs with three miniature golden axes, which are blessed and sanctified with the mantra of Maa Dakhinakali, and then the Vishwakarmas will be engaged in the construction of the chariots.

The wrapping of saree (sadhibandha) ritual on the heads of 10 categories of Maharanas including the head of the chariot construction (Mukhya Viswakarma), main Bhoi servitor, the painter (Chitrakara), Rupakara, the blacksmith etc. will be done along with other rituals. Later, the construction of chariots will begin.

Besides, the 42-day long famous Chandan Yatra will also start at the Shrimandir from today. The first 21-day external (Bahara) Chandan Yatra will be held at the Narendra pond. In this yatra, the moving idols of Mahaprabhu, Madanmohan, Bhudevi, Sridevi, Ramakrishna and the five Mahadevs will perform water sports on the Nanda and Bhadra boats.