Puri all set for Rath Yatra
Close to a million devotees are expect to throng the city for the car festival. On Thursday, Pujapanda servitors ceremoniously handed over the Agyanmallyas to Biswakarma artisans, giving the green light for the sacred journey. The day also saw the rare convergence of two key rituals - Netrotsav and Nabajouban Darshan - as devotees had a glimpse of the rejuvenated Trinity following their fortnight- long seclusion in the Anasara Ghar (sick room), after the ceremonial Snana Purnima bath.
The deities emerged resplendent in Nabajouban Besha, symbolising renewed youthful vigour. Meanwhile, police personnel and devotees skilfully maneuvered the three chariots from the Rath Khala (construction yard) to the Singhadwar, aligning them eastward, ready for rolling on with the Trinity aboard.
The grand pahandi procession - where the deities are escorted to their respective chariots - is scheduled between 8 am and 11.30 am on Friday. Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb will perform the traditional Chhera Pahanra ritual from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm.
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Time of India
06-08-2025
- Time of India
Compensation for cut: Tree plantation in Bastar for losing 100s of trees for chariot
Raipur: In a bid to balance tradition with sustainability, authorities in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region have begun planting saplings annually to compensate for the "hundreds of trees felled" each year to build the towering wooden chariot for the 75-day Bastar Dussehra, one of India's longest and most traditionally significant festivals. State wildlife board members and forest department on the local level have initiated the plantation, taking a cue from Jagannath Puri in Odisha, where thousands of saplings are planted annually to compensate for the timber used in 'Rath Yatra'. Speaking to TOI, Hemant Kashyap, a member of the state wildlife board and an environmentalist said, "For about three chariots, nearly 200 trees are felled in Odisha and the rath committee plants four times the number of saplings, and the wood is sourced only after an 80-year cycle of a tree planted. In Bastar, a single chariot is built - the four-wheeled 'Phool Rath' initially which later turns into eight-wheeled called 'Vijay Rath' — requiring felling of nearly 150 mature sal trees, many over a hundred years old. The Forest Department supplies this wood to the Bastar Dussehra Committee." "We have been demanding compensatory plantations for years. It shouldn't just continue in the name of tradition by planting few samplings. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo Sal trees take a several years to mature, he added. Jagdalpur chief conservator of forest R C Dugga told TOI that the number of trees to be felled depends on the size of logs required and usually they are less in numbers as claimed. By and large 80 huge logs are required for the chariot in Bastar Dussehra, he said. "Since the concern of annual felling of sal trees was considerable, our forest department team with local villagers and Dussehra committee jointly decided to plant saplings every year. There's a village called Nakti Semra near Jagdalpur, where the panchayat has provided an empty land and with own arrangements, we availed 250-300 saplings for plantation along with basic resources," CCF said. He added that the Bastar Dussehra committee representatives including 'manjhi, chalki' rank people who come from different villages, participate in plantation drive. We provide fencing and protection, he said, adding that to ensure proper care and maintenance, a formal initiative can be taken ahead. However, Kashyap urged for sal-specific replantation, stating that a mix of tree species is being planted instead. Moreover, while the best time for plantation is the monsoon, saplings are usually planted post-festival by tribal priests and traditional functionaries, often at the same spots where trees were felled, such as Markel, about 20 kms from Jagdalpur and Semra villages. Environmentalists emphasized that the chariot is crafted entirely through traditional methods — cut, carved, and shaped by hand without any machinery. This results in significant wood waste, which is later sold off or auctioned. Officials said that adequate funds can be allocated for structured ecological compensation for plantation.
NDTV
29-07-2025
- NDTV
No Hidden Chamber In Puri Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar: ASI
Puri: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday said there is no hidden chamber in the Ratna Bhandar of the Jagannath temple in Puri. The ASI has recently completed the restoration and repair of the Ratna Bhandar. In a post on X, detailing the restoration works, it said, "..there were no hidden spaces (in Ratna Bhadar)." The ASI said it was confirmed on the basis of a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey. It said the Ratna Bhandar, or treasury, comprises two parts -- 'Bhitara' Ratnabhandara and 'Bahara' Bhandara, which are separated by an iron gate, locked from the outside. "After inspecting both the chambers, it was decided to take up a GPR survey to identify if there are any hidden chambers or shelves inside the walls or under the floor," it said. "The report of the #GPR survey conducted in September 2024 confirmed that there were no hidden spaces. Following the report, conservation began on 17 December 2024. It started with scaffolding in both Bhitara and Bahara Bhandara," it added. The Ratna Bhandar is attached to the northern entrance of the Jagamohana or assembly hall of the temple, the ASI said. Constructed from khondalite stone, Ratna Bhandar was intended to house the valuables of the Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Shree Sudarshana, it said. The conservation work was carried out at the Ratna Bhandar in two phases, from December 17, 2024, to April 28, 2025, and from June 28 to July 7. As part of it, the ASI team undertook de-plastering of the inner ceiling, corbels, niches, walls, and outer facade to assess the structure. "Damaged stones and loose joints were discovered. Joints were sealed, followed by chemical cleaning, both inside and outside," it said. The damaged stone pieces were replaced with new khondalite blocks matching the original profiles. All corbel stones were examined and replaced as needed, it added. The rust-damaged wrought iron beams in the niches were also replaced with stainless steel box beams, and grouting was done in various locations, the agency said. Ratna Bhandar's flooring was also replaced with granite stone over a cushioned sandstone base, ensuring slope for drainage and smooth door operation. The inner iron grill gate was also chemically cleaned and repainted with golden preservative paint, it said. The inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar was opened after 46 years on July 14 last year for the repair work, and inventory.
Hans India
09-07-2025
- Hans India
Repair works of Ratna Bhandar completed: ASI
Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri on Monday announced that the ASI has completed repair of the 12th century shrine's 'Ratna Bhandar' (treasury) and inventory-related work will begin after approval of the State government. This was announced at a joint press briefing by SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee and Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) Superintending Archaeologist D B Garnayak here. The ASI is the custodian of the 65-metre-tall imposing temple in the seaside town. 'By the infinite grace of the Lord, the conservation and renovation work of the Ratna Bhandar, both outer and inner, has been completed today,' Padhee told reporters. The outer chamber is regularly used to store and retrieve ornaments for daily rituals and festivals. The most valuable ornaments made of gold and diamond are kept in the inner chamber, which had not been opened for 46 years due to concerns about its structural integrity and the need for repairs. The inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar was reopened in 2024 for an inventory of valuables and the repair of its structure. The conservation work was carried out by the ASI for about 333 hours over a period of 95 days. As many as 80 people worked to conserve the Lord's treasury, said Padhee. About the inventory of valuables in the Ratna Bhandar, Padhee said the works related to it will begin only after the permission of the State government. The Jagannath temple in Puri functions under the Law department of the Odisha government. Jewellery and other precious items stored in iron chests and almirahs were shifted to temporary strong rooms inside the temple in two phases in July last year when the Ratna Bhandar was reopened after four decades. The valuables will be taken inside the Ratna Bhandar shortly, since the repair is now complete, the SJTA Chief Administrator said. The last inventory of the Ratna Bhandar was prepared in 1978. Padhee said the repair and conservation works were carried out as per the State government's prescribed guidelines. 'By the grace of the Lord, the repair work was completed before Niladri Bije of deities on July 8,' he said. 'Niladri Bije' refers to the return of the sibling deities - Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath - to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, markingconclusion of the Rath Yatra festival.
