Puri ‘Rath Yatra’ preparations hit as servitors halt work over wood row
Bhubaneswar, June 17: With less than a month remaining for the world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra, chariot construction work has come to a halt. According to reports, the Vishwakarma Maharana servitors have halted chariot construction work following a dispute over the collection of ‘Khair ki Lakdi’.
Sources say that traditionally, the Vishwakarma Maharana servitors could take with them any round logs up to four feet long left over from chariot construction, known as ‘Khair Lakdi’ in the local language. However, under new guidelines recently issued by the administration, the Vishwakarma Maharana servitors have suspended chariot construction work in protest against the new rules. The servants say this interferes with traditional rights and the administration should reconsider this decision.
There are fears that the halt in chariot construction will impact preparations for the Rath Yatra. However, there has been no official response from the temple administration. Efforts are underway to resolve the dispute and restart construction soon.
