Puri: In the centuries-old tradition of the annual Rath Yatra, where every service to Lord Jagannath is regarded as a sacred privilege, 50-year-old artist-sevak Hemant Jena of Puri has quietly dedicated nearly three decades of his life to adorning the Lord’s chariots with colours and intricate motifs.
A familiar face at the Rath Khala (chariot construction yard), Hemant has been associated with the service since he was around 20 years old. Year after year, he joins the team of traditional artisans entrusted with painting the majestic chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra ahead of the world-famous festival.
For Hemant, the service is much more than an artistic assignment—it is an act of devotion.
He says that the moment he picks up a paintbrush inside the chariot workshop, all personal worries and physical exhaustion disappear. Despite having crossed the age of 50, he feels the energy and enthusiasm of a young man while engaged in the Lord’s work.
“Mahaprabhu gets His own work done. We are merely instruments,” Hemant says, reflecting the humility that defines the Jagannath tradition of seva.
Setting aside his own joys and hardships, Hemant considers service to the Lord his foremost responsibility. His unwavering commitment has earned him recognition among fellow artisans and devotees, who see his work as an example of selfless devotion.
He says his greatest reward comes only after the completion of the chariots. Watching the fully decorated chariots of the Chaturdha Murti standing in their grandeur makes him forget every hardship endured during the weeks of preparation.
Hemant remains resolute in his pledge to continue serving “Kalia Saanta”—a beloved name for Lord Jagannath among devotees—until his last breath.
His story reflects the spirit of countless traditional sevayats and artisans whose dedication, often away from the public eye, sustains the centuries-old rituals and craftsmanship associated with the Rath Yatra. Their quiet acts of service continue to reinforce the faith of millions of devotees, for whom every aspect of the festival is an expression of devotion to Mahaprabhu.
