Puri: Ropes for the annual Rath Yatra has reached Puri from Odisha Coir Board. Out of the 20 ropes, 14 will be used for pulling chariots and 6 as cordon ropes.
As per tradition, four long and sturdy ropes are attached to each of the three chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Balabhadra and Subhadra.
Made at Birpratappur near Chandanpur in Puri district, each of the ropes is 220ft long, eight inches in diameter and weighs about 140kg. The coir corporation handed over these ropes to the temple administration today.
After the festival is over, the ropes will be put to use for various sacred purposes.
Lord Jagannath is bound by the ropes of affection of His followers. It is believed that those who pull or just touch the ropes of the Lord’s chariot during the car festival are absolved of all sins, which attaches a special significance to the sacred cords.
