Keonjhar: The 72 feet-high chariot of Lord Jagannath in Keonjhar town has been placed in the ‘Guinness Book of World Records’ as the largest chariot drawn during Rath Yatra (divine sojourn of the Holy Trinity), the district Collector Ashish Thakare informed Friday evening on the sidelines of a religious function.
“The largest Ratha Yatra chariot is 22 m (72 ft) x 14 m (45 ft) x 14 m (45 ft) and was achieved by the Executive Officer, Debottar, Keonjhar (India), in Keonjhar, India, on 2 August 2019,” a certificate issued by the ‘Guinness Book of World Records’ read.
It is pertinent to mention that the Jagannath chariot of Keonjhar has been adjudged as the tallest chariot by India Book of Records, Asia Pacific Records, Global Records and Wonder Book of Records, so far.
The wooden outsized Ratha Yatra chariot is reconstructed every year. It is a centuries-old tradition spanning more than 300 years.
Odisha government has decided for development and beautification of Puruna Bazaar, Sri Sri Baladevjew temple and Old Town here in line with the initiatives taken up in Puri. Development work on the temple premises is underway while the government announced development work for Badadanda, Gundicha temple and its adjacent areas.
Beautification of the 540 metre-long Badadanda is to be carried out along with seating facility and provision of drinking water for devotees. Small shops and kiosks will be erected alongside the grand road and Hadabandha pond of the Vaishnavite shrine will be renovated.
