Dismantling of Lord Jagannath’s chariots begins in Puri amid tight security

Bhubaneswar, Aug 22: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Friday commenced the ritual dismantling of the three colossal chariots—Nandighosa, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana—that carried the sibling deities during the grand Rath Yatra in Puri. The chariots, stationed near the Singhadwar of the 12th-century shrine since the festival, are now being carefully disassembled under heavy security deployment.

The process began with Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana and will continue with Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja and Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosa. Unlike construction, which starts from the wheels upwards, dismantling is carried out from the top. Sacred components including the kalash, olta sua, khapuri parabadhi, and potala are removed first. Prior to this, the symbolic horses, charioteers, and parshwa deva-devis were respectfully detached, following age-old tradition.

The dismantling is entrusted to the Bhoi servitors, who are expected to complete the task within 15 to 20 days. To preserve the sanctity and safety of the structures, the SJTA has constructed a permanent modern godown at Masani Chandi Sahi, equipped with advanced storage facilities, where the dismantled parts will be kept.

This annual ritual not only signifies the conclusion of Rath Yatra festivities but also embodies the cyclical rhythm of devotion, craftsmanship, and tradition central to Odisha’s cultural heritage.