- Title: Preparations for Hindu chariot festival in eastern India enter final phase
- Date: 2nd July 2016
- Summary: PURI, ODISHA, INDIA (JULY 2, 2016) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI - NO ACCESS ARD/BBC) VEHICLES ON A ROAD WHERE THE CHARIOT FOR LORD JAGANNATH IS BEING ASSEMBLED CHARIOT UNDER CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WORKING ON THE CHARIOT PAN OF THE CHARIOT MORE OF WORKERS WORKING CHARIOT DOME OF JAGANNATH TEMPLE SEEN BEHIND THE CHARIOT MORE OF THE CHARIOT UNDER CONSTRUCTION (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) A DEVOTEE, BHAWNA SHARMA, SAYING: "I have come here to see the preparations for the chariot festival and how the chariot is constructed. I had heard so much about this place and I experienced it all here, it felt great." A WORKER PAINTING THE WHEEL OF THE CHARIOT ANOTHER WORKER DECORATING THE CHARIOT MORE OF THE CHARIOT (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) ANOTHER DEVOTEE, ASIM KUMAR SHARMA, SAYING: "I am very delighted to see the preparation for the chariot festival and I hope that next time I will be able to catch a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, after he recovers from fever." A WOMAN TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE CHARIOT PEOPLE PAYING OBEISANCE TO THE CHARIOT TOURISTS TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE CHARIOT MORE OF THE CHARIOT UNDER CONSTRUCTION
- Embargoed: 16th July 2016 08:51
- Keywords: Hindu India Odisha Puri Jagannath Yatra
- Location: PURI, ODISHA, INDIA
- City: PURI, ODISHA, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Human Interest / Brights / Odd News,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0014OZS0FX
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL
Preparations for the annual chariot festival of the presiding deities of the famed Lord Jagannath temple in the Puri district of India's eastern Odisha state have entered the last phase, with just days to go before the idols are brought out for public worshiping.
The annual event is set to begin on July 6 and will conclude on 15th of the month.
The festival commemorates the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balabhadra and his sister Lady Subhadra in specially made chariots to Gundicha temple, two kilometres away from the Puri temple.
Numerous workers perched on the 45.6 feet (14 metre) high chariot as they gave finishing touches to the structure.
Meanwhile artists were seen painting the chariot with traditional murals and designs in vibrant colours.
Devotees started pouring in the city to avoid the last-minute rush.
"I have come here to see the preparations for the chariot festival and how the chariot is constructed. I had heard so much about this place and I experienced it all here, it felt great," said devotee Bhawna Sharma on Saturday (July 2).
The idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra are brought out of the temple a fortnight ahead of the Rath Yatra and bathed with 108 pots of water.
It is believed that immediately after, the gods fall ill and hence are kept in seclusion for a fortnight as they recover.
"I am very delighted to see the preparation for the chariot festival and I hope that next time I will be able to catch a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, after he recovers from fever," said another devotee, Asim Kumar Sharma.
Three chariots are constructed for the procession with 18 wheels and are pulled with a tight rope by devotees.
Every year, new wood is supplied by the state forest department for making the chariots.
Hindu devotees from across the world throng the festival to see the deities who undertake the journey via their aunt's home, Mausi Maa Temple, near Balagandi Chaka in Puri. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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