Artist Subal Moharana makes the world’s smallest chariot (1.5 cm high and 1.4 cm wide) in Bhubaneswar. | —ANI
Berhampur
A motor mechanic in Silk City here in Odisha’s Berhampur has made mini chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra by using three different foodgrains.
The chariots which adorn the small size deities, made in tulasi wood and the ornaments by the same food grains displayed at Sriram Nagar Street here on Saturday, 2 days before the Ratha Jatra. “Since Ratha Jatra is restricted this year by the government due to Covid-19, we only display these for public view at our house only,” said 51-year old Hara Gobinda Maharana.
He has used the grains of wheat to make an 8-inch height and 5-inch width chariot of Lord Jagannath, while fine quality paddy and rice for the chariots of Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. The weight of each chariot is less than 100 grams, he said.
The chariots are made by connecting the foodgrains using the babul paste. There was no iron nail or other chemical items used in the chariot, he said.
“It’s very difficult to connect the individual grains and takes a lot of time. It took around 2-3 months to make all these chariots in leisure hours, while his family members helped him in his effort,” Maharana said.
Techie turns artist, makes 108 miniature paintings
With the world-famous Rath Yatra just a day away, a techie from Odisha has hand-drawn 108 miniature paintings of the Lord Jagannath and his siblings as a form of celebration. Bengaluru-based software developer Priyanka
Sahani showed her artistic side by drawing unique miniature paintings with acrylics on different objects.
Priyanka said she picked up the skill from her late father Bibekananda Sahani. She started it on June 26 and completed the holy trinity with different fruits and nuts as well — almonds, seeds, rajma, nutmeg, banana and several other things.
“I started to draw 108 miniature paintings of Jagannath since June 26 and completed the holy trinity on different things like almond, seeds, rajma (Kidney beans) nutmeg, banana, jackfruit, watermelon, cinnamon stick, chewing gum nails and others by July 10. I was working 10-12 hours a day, and it took me 3-4 hours to finish one painting of deities. It is an offering to the lord before he embarks on the annual sojourn, beginning July 12,” she said.
Kutchi New Year
Kutchi New Year or Ashadhi Beej is celebrated every year in the month of Ashada. This year it falls on July 12. It is mainly observed in the Kutch region, Gujarat and is celebrated on the second day of shukla paksha or waxing phase moon in Ashada month. For the people residing in this region, it is associated with the onset of monsoon. Families and friends get together and celebrate it together. Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi and other regional deities are worshipped on the New Year day. The day also marks commencement of the famous Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra and the Ahmedabad Jagannath. Bahuda Jatra will fall on July 20.
