Odisha: Puri temple committee seeks govt’s approval for construction of Rath chariots
BHUBANESWAR: Though uncertainty still shrouds Puri Rath Yatra on June 23 amid Covid-19 pandemic, the state government is likely to grant permission for start of construction of chariots. In a significant development, the Jagannath temple’s managing committee (MC) on Monday sought approval of the government to allow construction work of the chariots.
Servitors had consecrated chariot timbers inside the Jagannath temple on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on April 26. Though chariot-making always starts on Akshaya Tritiya, this time the construction work has been suspended in view of Covid-19 outbreak.
The MC said construction of three giant chariots for Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra normally takes 40-45 days for completion. Further wait (till end of extended lockdown on May 17) may hamper and delay the construction work.
“We have already lost a few days since Akshaya Tritiya on April 26. Chariot construction takes long time. Any work in haste may affect the quality of chariots. We have proposed to the government to allow us start the construction of chariots. Though Centre and state government have banned religious activities, construction work of chariots is not a religious function. Since Puri comes under green zone, there is no harm in starting the construction work of chariots,” committee chairman and Puri king Dibyasingha Deb said, adding that the carpenters (Maharana and Bhoi sevaks) can do the work by maintaining social distance.
Deb said if the government, based on post-May 17 situation on Covid-19 in the state, decides to not host Rath Yatra, the temple administration will obey the order. “We will go ahead with the chariot construction only after getting the state government’s permission. The moment government decides to cancel Rath Yatra, the chariot construction work will stop. Chariot timbers will be dismantled and taken to the temple kitchen for use as firewood,” Dibyasingha Deb said.
Other MC members and servitors said the government should hold Rath Yatra in restricted manner. “We proposed to the MC chairman and state government to host Rath Yatra without the participation of devotees. Chariots can be pulled in the presence of servitors and police personnel,” said MC member Ramachandra Dasmohapatra.
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