Puri, Apr 6: The sacred process of preparing wooden logs for Lord Jagannath’s world-famous Rath Yatra commenced today, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami.

Following traditional rituals and prayers, the divine "Agyan Mala" of Lord Jagannath arrived amidst a spiritual atmosphere marked by Jhanj Sankirtan.

The wood-cutting process, integral to the construction of the grand chariots, began at the government sawmill in Khapuria.

Under the guidance of the mill operators and temple administration, three 12-foot-long "Dhaura" logs were ceremonially worshipped before being processed. These logs have been sourced from the Nayagarh forest division, with more timber, including Balka wood, to arrive gradually from other forest areas for further processing.

The total requirement for the chariot construction stands at 818 wooden pieces, out of which 500 have already been delivered to the government sawmill.

The logs, consisting of woods like Fasi, Simili, Asan, and Dhaura, will be processed in phases and transported to Puri for the commencement of Rath construction on Akshaya Tritiya.

This year's Rath Yatra is scheduled for June 27, and the wood-cutting phase marks the beginning of preparations for this grand festival, revered by millions across the globe.

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