Puri, May 30 (Representative) Construction of three chariots for Puri car festival suspended due to cyclone Yaas has resumed. The Jagannath Temple Administration had dismantled the sun shade canopies and cloth walls following cyclone Yaas alert and heavy rains. However,after the cyclone threat was over and rains stopped, the structures in the yard were again erected to resume the construction work.
The yard was sanitised and workmen began their work in the bio bubble from Friday. Biswakarma Vijay Mahapatra, the chief carpenter of Nandighosh Rath of lord Jagannath said on the concluding day of Chandan Yatra known as Bhaunri one axle of each three raths would be fixed with wheels. He said “We will make up for the delay caused by the cyclone. About 200 workmen whose RT-PCR test came negative are working in the yard and were housed in the Nilachal Bhakt Niwas.
The strength of workmen varies according to the workload of the day, said Bijay Mahapatra. Workmen include carpenters, their helpers, about two dozen blacksmiths and roopakaras. As many as 25 carpenters were tested corona positive before their induction into work and were admitted in the corona care centre operated by the temple administration. 18 of them were cured while others were under treatment,the temple PRO said. The 21 day Chandan Yatra which began from Akshyay Tritiya on May 15 May is going on. The representing idols of Jagannath-Madan Mohan, Ramakrushna, Bhudebi and Sridebi along with Panchunpandabas were enjoying the boating (Chapakhela) in the Narendra tank.No devotee was allowed to witness the festival.