BHUBANESWAR: With barely a month left for the annual Rath Yatra in Puri, construction of the three grand chariots came to a halt on Wednesday morning after carpenters staged a protest against the Jagannath temple administration following a dispute over their share of the leftover wood.The artisans alleged that a temple officer prevented them from taking home leftover timber pieces, which they claim are rightfully theirs as per the temple’s record of rights. “We are entitled to the small, unused remains of the wood used in chariot construction. But the officer stopped us and has been interfering unnecessarily in our work,” said one of the protesting carpenters, Nrusingha Mahapatra. Another artisan added, “Such arbitrary decisions are illogical and unacceptable.”Temple authorities, meanwhile, maintained that efforts are underway to resolve the matter amicably through dialogue.While Rath Yatra is scheduled for July 16, work on the chariots began on the auspicious Akshaya Tritiya, April 20, with nearly 200 artisans—including carpenters, Bhoi servitors, blacksmiths, woodcutters, tailors, and painters—engaged in the massive exercise. Around 865 giant wooden logs are being used to build Lord Jagannath’s 45.6‑ft high Nandighosh chariot, Lord Balabhadra’s 45‑ft Taladhwaja, and Goddess Subhadra’s 44.6‑ft Darpadalana.Temple sources said Phasi timber, each piece over 40 feet long, is being used for the 21 axles of the three chariots. Nandighosh will have eight axles with 16 wheels, Taladhwaja seven axles with 14 wheels, and Darpadalana six axles with 12 wheels.
