Koraput: The construction work of chariots for the Shabar Shrikhetra Koraput Rath Yatra has started from today. After receiving the permission from the deity (Thakur), the chariot wood was ceremonially worshipped at the chariot workshop. The District Collector of Koraput, the Municipal Chairman of Koraput, members of the temple management committee, and volunteers were present.
At 1:45 PM, the construction of three chariots for the Shabar Shrikhetra Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra officially commenced. The wooden logs were first brought to Koraput’s Bardand area. According to tradition, the first chariot was for Balabhadra, followed by Subhadra, and lastly for Lord Jagannath. The worship and rituals were conducted accordingly, marking the formal start of the chariot construction.
Koraput District Collector Bhikkiri Keerti Vasan, Jagannath Temple Committee Editor Bhavani Shankar Acharya, Koraput Municipal Commissioner Lalat Ranjan Sethi, among others, participated in the worship ceremonies. Maharana Kuna Maharana, along with Sanyasi Majhi and his team from Nawrangpur, will oversee the construction of all three chariots.
The construction will continue from today for 26 days, aiming to complete the three chariots before the Rath Yatra on June 27. Maharana has informed that the chariot construction has begun following the permission from the three deities. The district administration and temple management have also assured that this year’s Rath Yatra will be conducted peacefully and successfully from the beginning.