By Our Correspondent
PURI:Today, on the 65th day of the chariot construction, the chariot builders arrived at the chariot yard at 8:00 am, gave their presence, and began the construction work under the guidance of the chief Maharana.
*Chariot construction progress*
(By yesterday, the construction of the three chariots was completed, and the Kandarpa form was carved on 12 of the 24 nat legs of the three chariots…)
*The potal setting is completed by adding the skull and the para bhadi three times*
Today, under the guidance of the chief Maharana of the three chariots, with the help of the Maharana and Bhoi servants under the leadership of Sardar Ravi Bhoi, the setting of 13 Bhatya Potals including the skull and the Parabhadi has been completed in the three chariots.
*With appropriate worship, the work of carving the form begins in the light of the three chariots*
This morning, the main Rupkar Sevaks, after performing appropriate puja, began carving the form of the three chariots with coconut sticks, and the associate Rupkar Sevaks, together with the assistants, began carving the form of the three chariots.
(The face of Rahu or Kirti is carved on the three chariots, the figure holding two knives in both hands, the branches and vines on the sides and the face of a magus at the bottom, etc.)
*Three-wheeled BJ wheel construction completed*
Today, the three charioteers have completed the construction of one wheel each to be installed in the chariot. (As per tradition, after the three chariots are brought near the Singhdwar, the final stage of the chariot construction is to connect the wheels to the altar and the three charioteers will shout Haribol and accompany the chariot construction.)
*The world fell on the altar of the three chariots, and the earth was covered with dust*
Today, for the preparation of the altar throne, five 20-foot-long boards have been laid on the front and back of the altar. (Since the boards have been laid on all four sides of the altar, to increase the area of the altar, three 6-foot-long boards will be laid on each side of the altar to prepare the altar.)
*Painter walks*
*Continue painting work on the throne face and the legs of the horse*
The painters have started painting the three chariots by applying primer to each of the throne faces. They have also finished applying primer to the remaining 12 legs of the three chariots, and have also continued painting the side deities, the urns, the fences, the kantha boards, and the external parts of the three chariots, such as the wheels, the bars, the rods, etc.
*Blacksmith’s axe*
The blacksmiths of the Dola Altar have completed the construction of the dust collector and are continuing the construction of the three-armed Prabha and the throne-shaped lancets.
*Pahi Maharana*
The Pahi Maharana have continued to make wooden equipment for the Seva Puja ritual during the Rath Yatra.
The presence of the charioteer*
*Maharana Sevak of Tiniratha – 76
*Tiniratha’s servant – 75
*Karti Sevak of the Three Chariots – 4
*The servant of the Three Chariots – 21
*Servant of the Three Chariots Ojha Kamar – 20
*Tum Bindha Craftsman – 2
*Pahi Maharana – 2
*Painter – 40
*Rathakhala Assistant (Water Carrier) 1
Total – 241 people
