Puri: The construction of three big chariots for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balavadra and their sister Devi Subhadra began on the auspicious occasion of Akshyay Tritiya Friday.
As per the religious tradition, temple priests handed over “Ajnya Mallya” (the order of Lord Jagannath) to the three heads of the carpenters’ clan to initiate the construction of three chariots.
The Temple Purohit performed “homa” to mark the beginning of the construction.
Three carpenter Chiefs (Biswakarmas) were accorded ceremonial head gears by the temple administration to carry out the construction work.
Earlier on the Ramnavami day the wood logs selected for use in construction of the chariots were consecrated by the temple priest.
Since Akshay Trtiya is considered the most auspicious day for the agrarian families of the state, the farmers began trilling their fields and showing paddy seeds while many began their house construction and initiated new ventures.
UNI