Ratha Yatra, the chariot festival of Sri Jagannath Dev, which is one of the major festivals of the Hindu community, will begin on Sunday. Ahead of the festival, craftsmen at Dhamrai in Savar are decorating the traditional chariot. The administration has also taken adequate measures ahead of the festival.
The organizers said that the ritual will begin in Rathkhola area of Dhamrai on Sunday. The festival will end with Ulto Ratha Yatra (reverse journey) on July 15.
The Ratha Yatra in Dhamrai is one of the most important events for the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The Hindus believe Sri Jagannath to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, one of the Holy Hindu Trinity of Gods. Lord Jagannath is also believed to be a deity form of Lord Krishna.
According to legend about the chariot, about 400 years ago, Sri Jashopala was the landlord of Dhamrai. Once, he was travelling to his neighboring locality with his army. His elephant suddenly stopped in front of a mound while walking on a path surrounded by forests. Unable to find a way, the king ordered him to dig that mound. After excavation, a temple and some idols were found under the mound. The king worshipped those idols and brought them home. This is how the tradition started.
According to sources, between BS 1204 and BS 1340, the Jamindars of Baliati under Saturia Upazila had four chariots, and they provided all the expenses for the construction. The last one took a period of one year to build, and the carpenters of Dhamrai, Kaliakoir, Saturia, and Singair jointly worked to make a chariot that was 60 feet in height and 45 feet wide.
The newly constructed chariot was three-storey. At that time, the charioteer was Suryanarayan Saha from Narayanganj.
In 2010, a new chariot was made in Dhamrai at a cost of Tk1.5 crore. Forty artisans worked tirelessly for over six months to construct the chariot, which was 37 feet in height and 20 feet in width.
Teak and Chambal wood are placed on an iron cage, and all the interesting artistic patterns are carved on the body of the chariot. It had 15 wheels made of iron. In front of the chariot, there are two wooden horses and a charioteer.
Apart from this, idols of gods and goddesses made of wood are placed in the chambers on different steps of the chariot.
Officials in charge said that the chariot is kept outside under the open sky throughout the year. Because of this, the color loses its shine. But before the Ratha Yatra, the chariot is again prepared for the festival every year.
A painter named Sanjay Bal was seen painting portraits of deities on the walls of the chariot poles in Dhamrai.
He said: “I have been decorating and repairing chariots for 11 years. This year, too, I have been working on the renovation. I pursue this task not only as a profession but also for my own pleasure.”
Another painter named Pradeep Chowdhury said: “I am working on this chariot to get the grace of God and the blessings of people. Every wooden structure gets the necessary color work. Chariots are being painted and decorated as per requirements. However, due to the rain, there is some disruption in the work. I hope the work will be completed soon.”
Nanda Gopal Sen, joint general secretary of the Board of Directors at Dhamrai Jasomadhava Temple, said: "We have already held discussions with the local authorities, and they have assured us of extending their support for holding the festival peacefully. We have several sub-committees to conduct the festival beautifully. They have started working already.”
Sirajul Islam Sheikh, officer-in-charge (OC) of Dhamrai police station, said: "All security preparations have been made for the festival. Police will be deployed wherever necessary. We will ensure the safety of the chariot.”
Dhamrai Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Khan Md Abdullah Al Mamun said: "We have held a special meeting ahead of the Ratha Yatra festival. The deputy commissioner is also aware of the progress and has given the necessary instructions. Local lawmaker Benazir Ahmad also gave directions in this regard. We are working accordingly. All preparations have been made so far.”