There is acute shortage of big logs of wood required for the
construction of three chariots for Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra. The shortage is
because fresh wood is used every year to build the chariot. So is it necessary
to cut fresh wood every year to build the chariots? Can’t the wood be reused?
Mid Day reports
"We require at least 42 big logs for making of Tumba (the middle of the wheels). But, so far the state government could supply only 28 pieces of logs of required dimension," said an official after the meeting.
Sources said that about 13,000 cubic feet of wood worth Rs 60 lakh is required every year for construction of three temple size chariots.
Therefore, about 1,000 trees of 862 species need to be cut annually for construction of Lord's chariots.
Though the environmentalists had earlier raised voice against cutting of large number of trees for making chariots every year, crores of Jagannath devotees have demanded continuance of the tradition of celebrating the annual car festival in chariots made up of fresh wood.
Related
About the Puri Jagannath Rathas – the size and dimensions