Odisha marked the auspicious festival of Akshaya Tritiya with immense devotion, cultural pride, and traditional fervour today. As part of this sacred celebration, the world-renowned Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced in the holy city of Puri, along with the initiation of the construction of the grand chariots for the Rath Yatra 2025. Akshaya Tritiya, regarded as one of the most significant days in the Jagannath culture, holds deep cultural and religious importance in Odisha. Traditionally considered a highly auspicious day for new beginnings, the festival also symbolises the start of the agrarian season in the state, with farmers sowing paddy seeds ahead of the monsoon. In temples and homes alike, rituals were performed today to invoke blessings for prosperity, agricultural abundance, and success in new ventures. The spiritually significant occasion also marked the beginning of the chariot construction for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, scheduled for June 27, 2025.

The traditional ‘Rath Khala’ (chariot yard), situated on the Grand Road outside the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, witnessed sacred rituals and activities today. Servitors brought the Agyan Mala, or divine garlands of permission, for the logs of wood designated for each of the three chariots. Following this, the ritualistic puja and symbolic wood-cutting began in line with the Banajaga Niti (traditional chariot-making rituals). As part of the elaborate ceremony, the Madhyanha Dhupa ritual was performed, after which three Agyanmala garlands—representing divine consent from the sibling deities—were brought out from the Srimandira (Jagannath Temple). Subsequently, the Deula Purohita (temple priests), Rajguru of the Srinaar, and Shrotriya Brahmins carried out a special yagna (sacrificial fire ritual) at a specially constructed yagnashala, offering prayers to Lord Nrusingha, the Ishtadev (presiding deity) of the ceremony, chanting the sacred Nrusingha Mantra.

In adherence to traditional protocols, the three sacred logs were first touched by the priests using three miniature golden axes, each blessed with the mantra of Maa Dakhinakali. Only after this sanctification were the Vishwakarmas (temple carpenters) permitted to commence the actual construction of the chariots. In tandem with the chariot construction, the Chandan Yatra—one of the oldest festivals of Lord Jagannath—also began today. This 42-day-long ritual is held in two phases, and the first phase, known as Bahara Chandan Yatra (external Chandan Yatra), began with a grand water ritual at the sacred Narendra Pushkarini in Puri. During this phase, Lord Jagannath, along with Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and other deities such as Madanmohan, Bhudevi, Sridevi, Ramakrishna, and the five Mahadevs, are taken on ceremonial boat rides aboard the Nanda and Bhadra boats to partake in symbolic water sports—a divine practice believed to offer respite from the summer heat.