Puri: They are yet to complete their school education but their deftness at shaping the wooden planks for construction of chariots is numero uno.
Prakash and Shubham Mahapatra, both Class-VII students of a local school and aged around 14, are now busy constructing chariots for the upcoming Car Festival of Srimandir deities. People who visit the Rath Yard near the office of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration make a beeline to witness the crafty works of the cousins.
“At a time when their schoolmates are enjoying the summer vacation, Prakash and Shubham have devoted the time to the service of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. They have made their families proud by accepting their family profession,” says a carpenter.
Sources said the boys have been helping their family members in chariot making for the last four years. “They have shown a great interest in learning the nitty-gritty of carpentry. They can now carve the figures of animals and birds without any guidance,” said a senior carpenter.
Prakash says he takes great pleasure in assisting his father and other carpenters in chariot construction. “I have been learning carpentry for the last five years. I enjoy my summer vacation by spending a few hours at Rath Yard. I have a dream to become a good carpenter servitor to the Srimandir deities,” says the ambitious boy.
Shubham too feels proud to follow the footsteps of his father and grandfather who have achieved excellence in chariot construction. “We are born as servitors to Lord Jagannath. One can become a good carpenter without sacrificing his formal education. We will continue rendering the service to Srimandir,” says Shubham.
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