Bhubaneswar, Aug. 5: In a significant recognition of Odisha’s cultural and spiritual legacy, the sacred wheels of the three chariots used during Puri’s annual Rath Yatra will soon be installed at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
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The announcement was made by Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee, who said the proposal received the approval of President Droupadi Murmu during a recent meeting at Lok Bhavan in Bhubaneswar.
According to Padhee, the President welcomed the initiative and described it as a matter of pride for the people of Odisha. The installation is expected to showcase the state’s centuries-old Jagannath tradition at the country’s highest constitutional residence.
The wheels from Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosh, Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja, and Goddess Subhadra’s Darpadalan chariots will be transported to Rashtrapati Bhavan, where they will serve as enduring symbols of Odisha’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
The chariot wheels hold immense religious significance as they are part of the sacred wooden chariots specially built each year for the world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri. In keeping with temple tradition, new chariots are constructed annually using freshly sourced timber. After the festival, the chariots are ceremonially dismantled, with portions of the wood used in the Jagannath Temple’s kitchen while other components are distributed or auctioned among devotees.
The proposed installation further strengthens the presence of Odisha’s heritage at Rashtrapati Bhavan. In 2024, four sandstone replicas of the iconic Konark wheels were installed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre and Amrit Udyan, celebrating the state’s architectural excellence and artistic traditions.
The addition of the original Rath Yatra chariot wheels is expected to further enhance the national recognition of Odisha’s unique cultural identity and the global legacy of Lord Jagannath’s annual chariot festival.