Ganjam dist provides 170 logs for Puri chariots

Time of India

9 hours ago

Berhampur: Two forest divisions in Ganjam district have played a vital role in the construction of chariots for the Puri Rath Yatra, contributing over 170 timber logs to build the three majestic chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
While 865 logs are required for constructing the chariots — Nandighosh of Lord Jagannath, Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra and Darpadalan of Devi Subhadra — the temple administration needed 814 this year, as 51 were already in stock.
Of the 814 logs, the Ghumusar South and Ghumusar North forest divisions in Ganjam district contributed over 170 logs, sources said. The timber species include asan, dhaura and phasi. Ghumusar South supplied 81 logs — 26 of asan and 55 of dhaura — while Ghumusar North provided 68 logs of dhaura and 21 of asan, the sources added.
Additionally, 8 phasi timber logs were donated by private landowners from Ghumusar South.
"After joint verification in different forests, the trees were selected for felling to use in the construction of the chariots," said Himansu Sekhar Mohanty, divisional forest officer, Ghumusar North. "The timber was dispatched to Puri, and people along the route offered prayers to the logs at various locations," he added.
Ganjam has supplied timber for the Rath Yatra over the past four years. "Apart from Ganjam district, the temple administration has procured timber from Boudh and Nayagarh districts," said Sudarshan Mekap, chariot caretaker in Puri.