The Biswakarmas of the Banajaga Yatra team started ‘Chaupata’ (sizing the log) work for Daru (holy tree) of Lord Balabhadra at Sarala temple in Kanakpur on Saturday. The tremors of earthquake in the morning did not affect the Chaupata work and other rituals. The holy tree fell to the ground at 12.47 am amid chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’ and ‘Hari Bol’.
Daru Chhedana (felling of holy Neem tree) for idol of Lord Balabhadra started at Kanakpur on Friday noon. After ‘Purna Ahuti’ of the Mahayajna by Swotriya Brahmins, which had started from Thursday, felling of the sacred tree in front of Sarala temple began. It is believed that after ‘Purna Ahuti’ and ‘Puspanjali’ at the Mahayajna, the Daru is transformed into Mahadaru, the timber out of which the earthly body of the Lord Balabhadra will be carved, to be later infused with the ‘brahma’ of the Lord.
The Swotriya Brahmins and Daitapatis, who were observing ‘nirjala’ fast (abstention from food and water) since Wednesday, broke the fast after felling of the Daru. A large number of devotees had congregated at the Sarala temple to have a glimpse of the Mahadaru, the felled tree.
After the tree fell, Daitapatis collected the log and Biswakarmas began trimming it into a specific dimension for making the idol. The remains of the holy tree will be buried in a large ditch dug in the vicinity of Sarala temple.
The Chaupata work and construction of Sagadi – cart made of banyan, Tendu and tamarind wood – would take another two days. The trunk of the felled tree, covered with silk cloth, will leave Kanakpur for Puri by April 28. It will be carried in the Sagadi that would be pulled by Daitapatis and devotees using special ropes.
Photo: Ranjan Ganguly
