Kendrapada: The authorities of the historic Lord Baladevjew Temple in Kendrapada district have sought technical assistance from IIT Bhubaneswar to ensure the safe construction and smooth movement of the temple’s 65-foot-tall wooden chariot for the annual Rath Yatra scheduled on July 16.
The move comes after four wheels of the 14-wheeled chariot, Bramaha Taladhwaja, were damaged during last year’s Rath Yatra, causing the massive structure to tilt while being pulled by devotees.
Construction of the chariot is in its final phase under the guidance of engineers and faculty members from the School of Mechanical Sciences at IIT Bhubaneswar, temple officials said.
A team of IIT experts recently inspected the ongoing work and suggested measures to improve the structural stability of the chariot.
The experts advised carpenters to use only new timber wherever possible, noting that unlike the chariots of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, which are rebuilt entirely with fresh wood every year, the Baladevjew Temple continues to reuse some old timber because of the shortage of quality wood.
The team also inspected the nearly two-kilometre route between the main temple and the Mausima Temple and found that uneven curves on the road could affect the smooth movement of the giant chariot. They recommended immediate repairs to the route ahead of the festival.
Of the chariot’s 14 wheels, 10 are being made afresh, while four are being repaired due to the limited availability of suitable timber, the officials said.
Around 45 carpenters have been engaged in the construction work since May 1, and the temple administration expressed confidence that the chariot would be ready well before the annual festival.
The Lord Baladevjew Temple, one of Odisha’s prominent Vaishnavite shrines, was built in 1707 during the rule of the Maratha subedars in the region.
