Rath timber consecration performed inside Puri Jagannath temple

Debabrata Mohapatra | TNN | Apr 27, 2020, 14:17 IST

Timber being taken inside Jagannath temple on Sunday

BHUBANESWAR: Even as uncertainty looms over conduct of Rath Yatra this year, the servitors consecrated timber from which chariots will be made inside Puri Jagannath temple on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Sunday. Following tradition, carpenters made a symbolic start of the construction work of chariots inside the temple.
This is the first time the traditional timber puja was solemnized inside the temple due to restrictions on outward activities during the lockdown over unprecedented crisis caused by Covid-19 pandemic. The timber consecration used to be performed outside the shrine (near Jagannath temple office on Grand Road) in the previous years. The timber puja was performed in the temple following the advice by Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati. The ritual was performed without participation of devotees as the temple is shut since March 20 in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak.
“We took three separate pieces of log into the temple where the puja was performed by priests. Carpenters also symbolically started the construction work of chariots. Full-fledged construction work will be carried out outside the temple if the government agrees to host Rath Yatra on June 23,” temple administration’s spokesperson Laxmidhar Pujapanda said. Significantly, the temple administration on Friday said they would take final decision on celebration of Rath Yatra after the nationwide lockdown is lifted on May 3.
Akshaya Tritiya also saw start of 21-day Chandan Yatra inside the temple. Chandan Yatra, an annual summer water-sport or voyage of the deities, is traditionally performed in Narendra pond. But, the lockdown restrictions promoted the temple body to hold the key festival inside the shrine on Sunday. Idols of Rama and Krishna, Sridebi, Bhudebi and Madanmohan accompanied by Panchu Pandavas enjoyed symbolic voyage in a small water tank in the shrine.