Keonjhar: With the car festival drawing closer, growing enthusiasm is palpable among the devotees in Keonjhar district to see their presiding deity Lord Baladevjew, along with siblings Lord Jagannath and Goddess Subhadra, on the chariot. Residents of the mineral-rich district are waiting with excitement to take part in the festival and pull the world’s tallest chariot to the Gundicha temple here. All kinds of efforts are being made by the district administration to make the major religious event successful and smooth. Sources said construction of the 72-feet tall chariot made of different varieties of wood is nearing completion.
Under the leadership of ‘Rathamaharana’ Nilamani Maharana and under the supervision of the Endowment department, the construction of the chariot is in full swing. About 30 workers have been engaged to complete the chariot construction. District Collector Vishal Singh recently went to the old city and reviewed the construction of the chariot and preparations for the procession. Similarly, the district Culture department under Ramesh Chandra Nayak is already prepared for the cultural programmes which will be showcased throughout the nine-day-long festival. “By Saturday, the chariot will be ready to roll. The painting work is getting slightly hampered owing to rain. However, there is still some more work to be done,” said Panchanan Sahu, manager of the Endowment department. On the other hand, Bhuyan tribals of Keonjhar district were also busy in preparing the special ropes made up of ‘Siali’ creepers, using which the chariot is pulled every year. This tradition has been continuing for hundreds of years as the Bhuyan tribesmen are close to the King’s dynasty.
Therefore, people of the tribal community under the leadership of Bhuyan Sardars Kunj Juang and Bhim Juang of Danla village under Banspal block have collected the ‘Siali’ climbers from Gandhamardan hill and are preparing ropes for the car festival. “Although it is difficult to find the creepers and prepare ropes, we cannot leave this tradition,” they said. As per the legend, Lord Krishna had died while swinging on the ‘Siali’ creeper in the forest after he was shot with an arrow by Jara, a hunter of Sabar community, who mistakes him for a deer. Locals say the king had ordered to use the rope made of ‘Siali’ creepers, Lord Krishna’s favourite, to pull the chariot.