Puri: The special ritual for the Rath Yatra has begun with wood cutting for the construction of the three chariots on the occasion of Ram Navami on Sunday.
Reportedly, the wood logs will be cut at the Cuttack Khapuria Government sawmill.
The chariot construction will begin on the third day of Akshaya Tritiya.
As per the tradition, a three-member team led by the chariot wood supervisor Sudarshan Mekapa will set out for Cuttack along with the holy garland called ‘Lagi Mala Maharda’ that will be received from Lord Jagannath temple in Puri.
The chariot construction takes place at the front of the royal palace near the Jagannath Temple in Puri. Hundreds of carpenters, helpers, blacksmiths, tailors, and painters work tirelessly to complete the task in time.
Usually, logs of dhaura, phasi, asana, simili are used in the construction of the gigantic wooden chariots. As per the tradition, 865 logs are used for construction of the three chariots.
This year, the Rath Yatra of the Holy Trinity is scheduled to be held on July 1 and Bahuda Yatra on July 9.
Ms Kalinga