Bhubaneswar: A slice of Odisha’s spiritual heritage, Rath Yatra, is set to find a proud place in the nation’s highest office, the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Tuesday said the iconic wooden wheels of the Puri Rath Yatra chariots will adorn Rashtrapati Bhavan, following President Droupadi Murmu’s consent.SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee, who met the President in Bhubaneswar during her ongoing Odisha tour, said he requested her to facilitate the installation of one wheel each from the three sacred chariots—Nandighosh of Lord Jagannath, Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra, and Darpadalana of goddess Subhadra—at prominent locations within the presidential estate.“We are deeply grateful to the Hon’ble President for graciously agreeing to our proposal. It is a matter of immense joy and pride for all of us. We will send three sacred wheels to the Rashtrapati Bhavan,” Padhee said.The Rath Yatra’s towering chariots are architectural marvels built anew every year. Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosh (45.6 ft) carries 16 wheels of 7-ft diameter, Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja (45 ft) has 14 wheels of 6.6‑ft diameter, while goddess Subhadra’s Darpadalana (44.6 ft) is fitted with 12 wheels of 6-ft diameter. After the festival, the chariots are dismantled, with parts stored in temple godowns. While some components are sold—Jagannath’s wheel priced at Rs 3 lakh, Balabhadra’s at Rs 2 lakh, and Subhadra’s at Rs 1.5 lakh, besides Guja and Asuari (wooden structural components of the chariots) at Rs 15,000 each—others are repurposed as firewood in the shrine kitchen.Padhee said the initiative is aimed at preserving the sanctity of the wooden structures while symbolically carrying Odisha’s cultural essence to the heart of India’s democracy. “The wheels represent not just craftsmanship but centuries of devotion. Their presence in Rashtrapati Bhavan will be a reminder of Jagannath culture’s universality,” he added.In Aug last year, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla accepted a proposal to install three wheels on the Parliament premises. SJTA said the moves highlight a growing effort to enshrine Odisha’s living traditions within national institutions, offering devotees and citizens alike a rare chance to witness the divine heritage beyond Puri.
