Bhubaneswar: The sacred preparations for Rath Yatra 2026 formally commenced on Monday with the dispatch of the first consignment of holy wood for the construction of the Lord Jagannath chariots from the Daspalla forest range in Odisha’s Nayagarh district.
The wood logs were transported from the Takra forest section to Puri, marking a crucial traditional milestone ahead of the annual chariot-making process. As per age-old customs, the dispatch was preceded by special worship rituals and Sankirtan, jointly organised by the Forest Department and the Mitukuli Vana Suraksha Samiti (VSS), ensuring adherence to religious traditions associated with the festival.
A total of 48 pieces of sacred Asan and Dhaura wood were sent in the first lot, loaded onto two trucks—one carrying 25 logs and the other 23. Officials said the entire process was carried out with spiritual discipline, transparency, and community participation, in line with prescribed norms.
The occasion witnessed the presence of forest officials, tribal leaders, local villagers, and women participants, who gathered to take part in the rituals and witness the historic moment. Their participation reflected the deep-rooted relationship between forests, faith, and Odisha’s cultural heritage.
Rath Yatra, one of the world’s most iconic religious festivals, is deeply intertwined with nature, as the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are traditionally crafted from specific types of wood sourced from designated forests. With the dispatch of the first lot, the spiritual journey toward Rath Yatra 2026 has officially begun—long before the chariots roll on Puri’s Grand Road, starting quietly in Odisha’s forests where devotion is carved into wood.
-OdishaAge
