Puri witnessed the traditional Chaka-Akha Dera Niti ritual at the Rath Khala today as part of the ongoing preparations for the annual Rath Yatra.
The ceremony coincided with the auspicious Bhaunri Yatra, marking a key milestone in the construction of the three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.
After receiving divine permission, artisans connected the newly crafted wheels to the axles of the chariots. The ritual symbolises the beginning of the mechanical assembly phase of the Rath Yatra chariots. Following the ceremony, the completed wheels were moved to designated areas within the Rath Khala for safe storage.
So far, 19 wheels for the three chariots have been completed. The Rath Amin has provided four sets of 20-foot-long Dhaura wood for constructing the front beams and Joka sections. The Maharana servitors have begun work on five Joka and four Muhanta structures, continuing the traditional craftsmanship that defines the grandeur of the festival.
By Friday, artisans had finished crafting essential components such as Sal Guz, Tikh Guz, Jal Yantra, Kuduka, Ora, and one Singhasan set. They also completed the cutting of three Thakia Raha beams, ensuring steady progress toward the chariot assembly.
The Chaka-Akha Dera Niti marks a sacred stage in the Rath Yatra preparations, blending devotion, tradition, and precision craftsmanship.
