Post News Network
Puri, June 11: Biswakarma servitors are working round-the-clock to accomplish carving of idols before time as Brahma Parivartan (changing of Brahma) would take place in the midnight of June 15. The Brahmas of old idols would be installed in the new ones as per Srimandir rituals.
A special ritual is followed at this crucial juncture in that the designated ‘Idols’ perambulate the Srimandir. For that, a Nyasa Daru Rath (special chariot) is being constructed on the premises of Dolabedi. The chariot has eight wheels made of Asana, Dhaura, Phasi and Mahala. Among other things, four horses, four doors, two reversed parrots (Olata Sua) and a disc are being installed in the chariot, which would be covered with a black cloth. However, there will be no charioteers in this chariot. Before Brahma Parivartan, the four idols would be placed in this chariot which would perambulate Srimandir seven times.
Small cubicles are made in the navichakra (navels) of the carved idols to house the Brahmas and small doors are fitted in to keep them closed.
For the ongoing Nabakalebara, Ramachandra Maharana has taken the charge of constructing the Nyasa Daru Rath. The 58-year-old servitor said he was involved in the construction of ‘Daru Sagadis’ and their journey to Srikhetra. He was also given the responsibility of shaping the wheels and other parts of the Sagadis at a saw-mill in Cuttack. He had the experience of working at Rathakhala in Nabakalebara-1977, Ramachandra said, adding he serves the Lord round the year as he works as a Maharana in the office of the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
He further said SJTA first asked him to draw a sketch of the proposed Nyasa Daru Rath. Following approval of the sketch, he was asked to start construction of the chariot on Dolabedi premises.
On the design of the chariot, Ramachandra said, “By the grace of God, I am getting the old memories back to shape the chariot. The Lord would take care of the rest as we are just a medium.” The chariot would be completed before time, he added.