Bhubaneswar, February 2: On the occasion of Basant Panchami and Saraswati Puja, the ‘Ratha Katha Anukula’ ritual was performed at the Puri Jagannath Temple on Sunday, signaling the beginning of preparations for the upcoming Rath Yatra.
The ceremony took place in the evening, coinciding with the auspicious Sri Panchami. A 12-foot Dhaura wood was worshipped as part of the ritual.
The ‘Ratha Katha Anukula’ ritual involved a ceremonial offering for the Dhaura wood, which will be used in the construction of the three chariots for the Holy Trinity. This marks the initiation of the traditional chariot-building process for the annual Rath Yatra.
In preparation for the festival, three trucks recently delivered 101 pieces of timber, including Ashan and Dhaura wood, from the forests of Nayagarh and Dasapalla to Puri. Along with this, the sacred rituals for the Ghosa Jatra also began in the town. The chariot construction will formally start on the next Akshaya Tritiya.
