Puri: The auspicious festival of Akshaya Tritiya on Monday set in motion the grand preparations for Odisha's world-famous Rath Yatra, with traditional rituals marking the ceremonial beginning of chariot construction.
The sacred 'Anukula' rite, following the 'Banajaga' rituals, was performed at the Jagannath Temple to signal the start of the elaborate process.
After the Madhyahna Dhupa offering, three 'Agyan Mala'- garlands of divine permission from the deities-arrived, formally authorizing the construction. Temple priests, Rajguru, and Vedic Brahmins conducted a special yajna at the mandap, invoking Lord Nrusingha with chants and offerings. In keeping with age-old tradition, three sanctified golden axes, dedicated to Goddess Dakshina Kali, were used to symbolically touch the timber before the Vishwakarma artisans commenced their work.
The day also witnessed the ceremonial tying of turbans for chief artisans, servitors, painters, sculptors, and blacksmiths, underscoring their vital role in the chariot-making process.
Meanwhile, the 21-day Bahara Chandan Jatra began at Narendra Pushkarini. In the afternoon, the movable idols of Madanmohan, Bhudevi, Sridevi, Ramakrishna, and Panch Mahadev embarked on a ceremonial boat ride, will delight devotees with water sport rituals steeped in tradition.
Thousands of devotees will throng the sacred waterbody, with district and police administration deploying extensive security, five platoons of personnel, senior officers, and inspectors, to ensure smooth conduct of the festivities.