Moving near the chariots on the day of rath yatra, one thing that catches the eye immediately is a large rangoli.
Its makers are a couple, part of a team of traditional artists who come to entertain the Trinity on the auspicious day.
Meet Mahesh Potadar and his wife Narayani Mahesh Potadar from Kolhapur in Maharashtra, who have been coming to the festival every year for the past 10 years,
The artists, both in their 30s, spent more than five hours this morning to put together the 60x15 feet rangoli that resembles a welcome mat, known as satranj, in Puri. It features a pair of peacocks at the centre with other decorative elements inside the painting.
"The rangoli seems like a greeting. In this case it acts as a starting base for the chariots," said Mahesh. The couple have been drawing rangoli for many religious festivals across the country. Before coming to Puri, the couple created similar designs at rath yatra festivals held in Nashik, Mumbai, Nadia and Nabadwip. They said they had a very special connection with this holy town of Odisha.
"Initially, we came to this festival out of interest. During that time, there were not as many restrictions as now. Over the past few years, the administration has become strict and we have to seek permission from the district collector to create the rangoli. But the state government has been very welcoming and have happily allowed us," said Mahesh.
Mahesh, who has a masters degree in history, is a professional rangoli designer along with being a goldsmith. His wife is a professional accountant and works with LIC.
"I come to Puri on different occasions for various work, but rath yatra has a special charm," said Mahesh.
"The response, happiness and spirituality we attain by doing our part of the service to the Trinity is unmatchable and we enjoy it every time," said Narayani.
Mahesh said rangoli was the common link that brought the couple together. "Narayani had come to see a rangoli that I had created at a festival in Kolhapur. It is there we met and fell in love," said the artist.
Ever since they got married, the couple have been travelling to many places to create rangolis together.
The rangoli has turned out a favoured area for selfie lovers and photographers. With the chariots in the background, rangoli colours added to the rath yatra magic. "The colorful patterns are beautiful and you have to stop for a few minutes to admire the art. The rangoli is not only eye catching, it also adds vibrancy to the already colourful atmosphere," said Nidhi Kundu, a tourist from Digha in Bengal.
