Puri Hosts 11th Heritage Walk with a Deep Dive into Rath Yatra Craftsmanship and Sacred Sites

Puri: The 11th edition of the Puri Heritage Walk (PHW) was successfully held on Sunday, drawing together twenty heritage researchers from across Odisha. The walk, aimed at exploring the rich cultural and architectural legacy of Srikhetra, brought to light intricate traditions behind the making of Lord Jagannath’s chariots, as well as significant insights into temples and sacred spaces often overlooked by the public.

The walk commenced from the sacred site of “Marichi Thakurani” near the well-known Shakti shrine “Marichikota”, and concluded near the revered Satyanarayan Temple and Ramji Matha.

One of the major highlights of the walk was an immersive visit to the “Rathakhala” — the ground where the grand chariots of the Trinity are crafted each year for the Rath Yatra. Senior chariot artisans participated in the event and engaged in discussions with the participants, explaining the intricate architecture and traditional techniques involved in chariot construction.

Rajendra Kumar Mahapatra, a Rupakara Sevaka (sculptor) of Lord Jagannath’s chariot, offered a rare glimpse into the sculptural detailing that decorates the chariots. He spoke about the evolution of the chariot design over the years while emphasizing that the age-old rituals and precision-driven craftsmanship remain unchanged.

Balakrushna Mahapatra, the chief carpenter of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot, explained the progressive assembly process. He noted that foundational components such as the axle, pole (danda), and garagara have already been fixed, and the next phase involves installing the chaudanahaka (14 vertical beams), followed by the tiniparasta potala (three-tiered canopy).

Participants also visited the shrine of Goddess Charchika, the guardian deity of the Rathakhala area. They explored the finely carved Hanuman Temple within the Bada Akheda Matha and examined ancient sculptures adorning the boundary walls of the Dolavedi complex.

A particularly engaging moment came when the group gathered near a war-elephant sculpture outside the Pabachhasreni, where they attempted to interpret an inscription carved on its rear. They then visited the blacksmiths’ temporary workshop at Dolavedi, where the Ojha Maharanas are painstakingly forging nails, bolts (bala), and pandari required for the chariots.

Ojha Sevaka Dasarathi Maharana highlighted the crucial yet often unrecognized role of the lauhakaras (blacksmiths). He informed the group that different parts of the chariots require nails ranging from 4 inches to 4.5 feet in length and that nearly five quintals of iron are used in the entire process.

The heritage walk concluded with darshan of Lord Hanuman at the Satyanarayan Temple and Ramji Matha, offering a spiritual closure to the culturally enriching journey.

The event was led by heritage expert Debi Prasanna Nanda. Sanjay Baral, convener of the walk, stressed the importance of engaging the younger generation in cultural preservation. Dr Kumar Aurojyoti extended a heartfelt vote of thanks to all participants.

Among the prominent heritage enthusiasts who took part were Siddhartha Mohapatra, Subrata Kumar Bal, Jyotsna Mohapatra, Suprabha Sahu, Prasanta Mishra, Priyankar Maharana, and Biswamohan.