Odisha: Puri servitors against pulling of chariots by jumbos, machines
Raths under construction in Puri
BHUBANESWAR: The question as to who will pull the chariots in Puri on June 23 has become the talking point in the state a day after the Orissa high court asked the state government to explore the feasibility of deploying heavy machinery or even elephants to pull the giant wooden chariots instead of manpower due to the Covid-19 crisis.
“Our tradition and the Jagannath culture do not allow machines to pull the chariots. Chariots have been pulled by devotees for centuries. We will raise objection if the government deploys machines to pull the chariots,” said Premananda Dasmohapatra, secretary of Suddha Suar Nijog (an association of servitors in Jagannath Temple).
Some servitors also expressed doubt on the feasibility of using elephants to pull the chariots. “We know that elephants were used earlier to pull the chariots. They used to add grandeur to the festival, but we have also heard that many devotees were injured in elephant attacks in the past. We do not know how the plan to use elephants would work this time,” said Bhagi Pujapanda, a servitor.
Most residents, including youngsters, in Puri are at a loss as to how the chariots would be pulled. “I am curious to know about the government is planning to do. The use of elephants looks unlikely. The government may use heavy machines or cranes to pull the chariots. To keep the tradition alive, a symbolic pulling of the chariots could also be done,” said Rajesh Mishra, an engineering student. “We neither need machines nor elephants. Police and servitors should be allowed to pull the chariots. If the government can allow congregations in markets, there is no harm in allowing some people to pull the chariots,” said Debasis Das, a senior lawyer. Wildlife experts said deployment of elephants may pose danger as the animals could turn wild hearing the ear-splitting sound of gongs and cymbals atop the chariots. “We need trained elephants and mahouts for this tough task. Untrained elephants may cause damage to the chariots as well,” a wildlife official said.
Sanjib Kumar Das, an animal welfare activist, echoed similar views. “I respect the high court’s order. But, we have a little over a week left for the Rath Yatra. We do not have adequate trained elephants and mahouts in the state,” said Das, adding, many could also raise the question about cruelty to animals.
A temple source said Hati Seba (elephant service) used to add grandeur to the Rath Yatra in the past. Elephants used to escort the chariots as well as the Puri king’s palanquin. But the practice is believed to have been discontinued in 1972.
While servitors demanded that the chariots be pulled by them and police personnel, temple administration said a final decision is likely to be taken in a day or two.
“We will examine the proposal by the Orissa high court and discuss it with Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati and the servitors. At least 600 people are required to pull each chariot. The practice may put social distancing norms at stake. The state government fears Covid-19 cases may peak this month and has already banned any form of congregation in or outside religious places till June 30,” a temple officer said.