Finance
On Wednesday, the initiation ceremony for fitting wheels to chariot axles for the approaching Rath Yatra was held on Bada Danda to commemorate the Chaka Dera Anukula ritual as part of the Bhaunri festival.
The event took place when puja panda servitors sent ‘agyan mala’ (garlands of consent from Lord Jagannath and His siblings) to Ratha Khala.
According to tradition, the rite was performed initially for Lord Balabhadra’s chariot, Taladhwaja. Later, Chaka Dera Anukula ceremonies were performed for the Nandighosa and Darpadalana chariots.
So far, Bhoi servitors have completed the construction of 16 wheels out of 42 wheels of the three chariots-Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalan. Following the completion of the Chaka Dera ritual, ‘Akha Sanjogikaran Karyakram’ or fixing of all the 42 wheels of the three chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Goddess Subhadra with their respective axles will be carried out by ‘Maharana’ and ‘Bhoi’ servitors.
It is pertinent to mention that as many as 200 carpenters have been engaged in the construction of chariots.
Meanwhile, the Bhoi servants have been tasked with finishing Chari Nahaka before Suna Besha of Trinity arrives.
