Devotees in Ganjam District Donate Timber for Puri Rath Yatra Chariots
In a significant gesture of devotion, twenty-four individuals from Ganjam district have contributed timber to the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) for the construction of chariots to be used in the upcoming Rath Yatra at Puri, scheduled for July 16. The construction of these sacred chariots for Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra is set to commence from Akshya Tritiya on Monday, marking a traditional and auspicious start to the process.
Phasi Wood for Chariot Wheels
The donated timber includes phasi wood, which is specifically utilized for building the wheels of the chariots due to its durability and strength. A forest officer confirmed that 32 pieces of phasi wood have been dispatched to the SJTA in Puri, sourced from the donations of these devotees. This wood typically has a minimum girth of 6 feet, ensuring it meets the structural requirements for the chariots.
Donation Process and Tenant Contributions
Himansu Sekhar Mohanty, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Ghumusar North, detailed the donation process. Tenants applied to the forest department, expressing their desire to donate specific trees growing on their land for the chariot construction. Eight tenants from Ghumusar North division and sixteen from Ghumusar South division have participated in this initiative. The SJTA conducted inspections to select suitable trees, with cutting and processing scheduled after Basant Panchami.
Mohanty noted that the phasi trees donated are approximately 60 to 70 years old, reflecting a long-term commitment to the tradition. From Ghumusar North, 16 processed timber pieces were sent to Puri on Thursday, following an earlier dispatch of 16 logs from Buguda under Ghumusar South division.
Emotional and Historical Significance
The donors expressed profound happiness and spiritual fulfillment. Simanchal Bisoi, a tenant from Kesarapalli village, shared, "We feel very happy as the timber which grows on our land will be used for construction of the wheels for the Lord’s chariot." Kalu Charan Nayak of Malati village added, "We think our forefathers had planted the phasi trees long ago for use in the Lord’s chariots," highlighting a generational connection to this sacred practice.
Additional Timber Supplies
Beyond phasi wood, the forest department has also dispatched 40 pieces of dharua and asana timbers in a phased manner. These species are collected from various forest areas in Ganjam district, which has been supplying different types of logs for chariot construction over the past five years, underscoring the region's ongoing role in supporting the Rath Yatra festivities.
