(Top) (From left to right) Youngest daitapatis Ashutosh, Pratik and Anubhav, and (above) Krushna Chandra Maharana, the oldest daitapati of Lord Jagannath. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

A look of relief spread across Krushna Chandra Maharana’s face as the grand rath yatra procession culminated at the Gundicha temple today. His Debadalana chariot once again safely escorted Goddess Subhadra to her aunt’s place and one can say by judging his countenance that he is a proud man.

Eighty-year-old Maharana, who is revered as the oldest member of the servitor clan, made a quiet wish to the three deities as they entered the Gundicha temple. “Since I have grown old and my days are numbered, I prayed to the Lord to grant me the privilege to serve Him again next year or in my next life,” he said.

Maharana, a resident of Markanda Sahi in Puri, has been involved in the pious work of chariot making since he was 18. His precision, dedication and 62 years of experience have exalted him as the chief carpenter of Debadalana chariot. “It is an unwritten law to construct the rath by haatha anguli maapa (measurement with arms and fingers) that I had learnt from my forefathers. I have never used any technical equipment for the purpose of measurement, yet I am proud to say that my chariot has the exact measurements every year,” said Maharana.

The chief carpenter has also assigned his four sons and grandsons, some of whom are still in school, in the auspicious task of chariot making. “They willingly involve themselves in this auspicious festival. Just like I had the opportunity to participate in four naba kalebara (ceremony of changing the idols), I hope they too can take part in this divine occasion,” he added.

While Maharana thanked Lord Jagannath for His perpetual blessings on him, two of the youngest servitors of the lords, Anubhav and Ashutosh, watched in amusement as the procession ambled its way to the Gundicha temple.

The five-year-old twins have been serving the lords barely 21 days after they were born. Though the siblings are too naive to understand the essence of the festival, their devotion to the Lord is no less than any other servitor’s. When children of their age group were enjoying their summer vacation, Ashutosh and Anubhav stayed indoors and religiously observed the rituals of abstinence.