Mail News Service
Seraikela, May 28: This year’s Rath Yatra of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath in Seraikela is set to be a historic celebration, as a new, grand eight-wheel chariot is being prepared for the occasion. Organized by the Shri Jagannath Seva Samiti, the event aims to replicate the spiritual grandeur of the famous Rath Yatra held in Jagannath Dham, Puri.
Approximately 80% of the wooden construction work for the chariot has been completed. The work is being executed by a skilled, traditional team led by Prakash Chandra Ojha of Konark, Odisha, and supported by eight expert artisans from the Vishwakarma Committee. The woodwork is expected to be completed by June 5.
Traditional painters from Odisha will arrive to decorate the chariot with religious motifs, and textile artisans from Pipli, a town renowned for its applique work, will embellish the chariot with vibrant fabrics. The fully decorated chariot will be ready by June 26, coinciding with the Netra Utsav, when devotees will receive the first darshan of a rejuvenated Mahaprabhu after his 15-day rest period.
The sacred ritual of Dev Snan Purnima will take place on June 11. As per tradition, Mahaprabhu Jagannath will be bathed with water from a thousand herbal pots and offered kheer khichdi and tangy mango curry. Following the ritual, Mahaprabhu will symbolically fall ill and remain out of public view for 15 days.
The much-awaited Rath Yatra will begin on June 27, with Mahaprabhu Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra proceeding to Mausi Bari Gundicha Temple on the new eight-wheeled chariot.
