JAGATSINGHPUR: Daru Chhedana (felling of holy Neem tree) for idol of Devi Subhadra was completed at Adhanga on Saturday evening.
After 'Purna Ahuti' of the 'Mahayajna' by Biswabasu and Vidyapati of the Banajaga Yatra team which had started from Friday, felling of the sacred tree on the premises of Nilakantheswara temple began. While Swotriya Brahmins in the team accorded hundreds of 'ahutis' by Friday evening, the Daitapatis continued chanting 'Patal Nrusingha Mantra' near the yagna venue. It is believed that after 'Purna Ahuti' and 'Puspanjali' at the 'Mahayajna', the Daru is transformed into Mahadaru, the timber out of which the earthly body of the Devi Subhadra will be carved, to be later infused with the 'brahma' of the Goddess.
As per the norms, the Swotriya Brahmins handed over the gold axe to Vidyapati and silver one to Biswabasu and iron axe to the Biswakarma after the 'Purna Ahuti' ritual. After the Vidyapati touched the tree with gold axe and Biswabasu with silver, Biswakarmas began cutting the tree with iron axes at 3.50 pm. The tree fell around 6.10 pm.
The Swotriya Brahmins and Daitapatis, who were observing ‘nirjala’ fast (abstention from food and water) since Thursday, broke the fast after felling of the Daru. A large number of devotees had congregated at the temple to have a glimpse of the Mahadaru, the felled tree.
On Sunday, Daitapatis would collect the log and Biswakarmas will begin trimming it into a specific dimension for making the idol. This ritual is called 'Chaupata'. The remains of the holy tree will be buried in a large ditch dug in the vicinity of Nilakantheswar temple.
The Chaupata work and construction of Sagadi - cart made of banyan, Tendu and tamarind wood - would take another two days. The trunk of the felled tree, covered with silk cloth, will leave Adhanga for Puri by May 3. It will be carried in the Sagadi that would be pulled by Daitapatis and devotees using special ropes.
Meanwhile, construction of Sabarpalli and Yajna Mandap has started in Kharipadia village where the Daru of Lord Jagannath has been found. While work is on for providing electricity and water supply in the area, a round-the-clock control room is being erected near the site. Four parking areas have been earmarked at Purana Odapada, Kulashai IB, Dobandi and the river bed of Paika. Collector Satya Kumar Mallick and SP Sudha Singh are overseeing the preparations.
