Chariot artisans shed tears after Puri Rath Yatra stayed
22 Jun 2020 00:39:57
Carpenters constructing chariots in Puri in Odisha. (PTI/File photo)
PURI,
THE news that the Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra here will not be held this year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic has left multitude of artisans connected to the construction of the grand chariots for the world famous festivals of Hindus in tears. The makers of the gigantic chariots, which are pulled by lakhs of devotees, include a number of biswakarmas (carpenters), blacksmiths, roopakaras (painters), darzis (tailors) and ‘Bhoi’ servitors who supply logs to the carpenters.
A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde on June 18 said that in the interest of public health and safety of citizens, this year’s Rath Yatra in the Odisha pilgrim town cannot be allowed. The nine-day Rath Yatra festival in this seaside pilgrim town will begin on June 23 and the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee and the servitors of the 12th- century shrine have urged the Odisha Government to file a fresh application in the Supreme Court, seeking modification of its order. The Rath Yatra has continued uninterrupted since 1736. It could not take place 32 times between 1558 and 1735 due to Mughal invasions, said Bhaskar Mishra, a researcher in the Jagannath Culture.
“I was shocked to hear the news about the Supreme Court’s order. I came to know it when giving final touches to the chariot,” said Bijay Kumar Mahapatra, the chief carpenter of ‘Nandighosh’, Lord Jagannath’s chariot. “Never before I have seen such a situation when chariots will not be used even after being completed. I have been engaged in chariot making since childhood. My father and grandfather also made chariots for the deities,” said 65- year-old Narasingha Mahapatra, the chief carpenter of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot ‘Taladhwaja’. With tears rolling down his cheeks, Narasingha Mahapatra asked, “What was the point in putting us through corona tests and keeping us in isolation if the chariots will not roll out on Bada Danda (Grand Road in front of the shrine)? I cannot tolerate such a situation.” Most of those who were engaged in the construction of the chariots of the deity and his two siblings said that they work not for money, but out of love, affection and above all respect for Lord Jagannath.
SC to hear pleas seeking recall of its order
NEW DELHI,
June 21 (PTI)
THE Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday the pleas seeking recall of its order staying this year’s historic Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra, attended by lakhs of people from across the world, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The apex court had on June 18 said that in the interest of public health and safety of citizens, this year’s Rath Yatra, which was scheduled for June 23, at Puri in Odisha cannot be allowed and “Lord Jagannath won’t forgive us if we allow” it.