By Our Correspondent
PURI:Today, on the 66th day of the chariot construction, the chariot builders arrived at the chariot yard at 8:00 am and began the construction work under the guidance of Chief Gu Maharana.
*Chariot construction progress*
(By yesterday, the setting of the three-wheeled parabhadi along with the three-wheeled potala has been completed, five 20-foot-wide slabs of stone have been laid for the construction of the three-wheeled altar, and the work of carving the shape of the three-wheeled prabha has begun.)
*Three-time altar construction in the final phase*
For the preparation of the altar throne, the work of laying five jagats and thorn fences was completed with the help of the 3rd Ratha Maharana Sevak and the 2nd Ratha Maharana Sevak. Today, to increase the area of the altar, the 3rd Ratha Maharana Sevak team has laid six bhauts, three on each side of the altar, and the planks are yet to be laid on the altar.
*The three chariots are lined with planks of wood for Kanaka Mundi to sit on*
Today, the Maharana Sevaks of the Trirathar have completed the work of laying one 12-foot wide plank (Chunat Plancha) on each of the four sides of the Trirathar six-legged platform as a preliminary preparation for the installation of the Trirathar Kanak Mundi. For the Trirathar Kanak Mundi setting, 16 pieces of planks, four at a time, will be set on each of the four sides and the Kanak Mundi will be installed.
*Continue carving the form in the light of the three chariots*
The main Rupkar Sevak and the associate Rupkar Sevak have carved and placed the
Rupkar in the Prabha three times.
*After primer painting work on the three chariot door frames, Rahu form painting work begins*
The painters have finished applying white primer to the 12 door frames, four at a time, and the main painter has continued to paint the Rahu face, shadow, and illusion. After the painting work is completed on the natgodas, the three-door frame will be raised to the top of the chariot.
In addition, the painters have carved and painted 24 figures on the three chariots, as well as the idols of the goddesses, sakhi, amla, kanya patta, etc. on the sides of the chariot, and have continued to paint the external parts of the three chariots.
*Blacksmith’s axe*
At the temporary blacksmith shop of Dolavedi, the blacksmiths of Ojha have continued to make the three chariots’ Prabha Kanta, the altar Kanta with horse carriage, the charioteer Kanta with carriage, and the four-cornered Kanta to enclose the door.
**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*
*Three times Maharana Sevak – 78
*Three-time Bhoi Sevak – 76
*Three-time Rupkar Sevak – 21
*Three Chariots Karti Sevak – 4
*Servant of the Three Chariots Ojha Kamar – 20
*Tumbi Bindha Craftsman – 2
*Pahi Maharana – 2
*Painter – 40
*Rathakhala Assistant (Water Carrier) 1
Total – 244 people
