The chariot of the Patitapabana can move only when Subhas Chandra Mohanty "allows" it to.

Nandighosh, the chariot of Lord Jagannath, cannot move an inch till Mohanty blows the ceremonial trumpet Bije Kahali.

A member of the Kahalia group of sevayats, Mohanty and his family have been performing the ritual for generations. For the past six years, it has been his duty during every chariot festival. Prior to him, his elder brother had performed the ritual for 35 years.

"It is matter of pride that we have this opportunity to serve the Lord. Every time I do this, I feel a different kind of strength in me. It takes me to a state of trance," he said.

The trumpet weighs 400gm and is made by artisans from Cuttack.

"A special process is followed while making the trumpet. It can only be made inside the Puri temple with specific dimensions," Mohanty added.

Their services are not only limited to the chariot festival. They blow the bugle for invocation during various auspicious events of the temple and the Trinity.

"We serve all year round. Every night, we have to blow the trumpet four times during the start of the Lord's different rituals. That apart, we also serve during special occasions and festivals," said Mohanty.

At present, there are seven members in his family who can perform the duty. "There is a process that one has to go through to become a sevayat. Selected members of our family get this chance to ensure that the tradition continues," he said.

Musical instruments play an integral part in rituals of Lord Jagannath and each of these are assigned to a particular group of sevayats. While the Veenakara play the veena at the time of putting the deities to bed, the Madeli play madala (a long drum) during bed-time rituals.

The Sankha group blows conch shells during the rituals of the Lord and His siblings, while the Ghantua group play cymbals during pahandi, the ritual of bringing the deities to the chariot.

From morning to night, music binds every ritual and researchers of the Jagannath cult say the deities love melody. To drive home the point, scholars have forwarded scientific arguments.

"Music pacifies the nerves. The Lord requires relaxation through music just like human beings do. Such practises were started by kings and rulers who considered the Lord as a part of them," said researcher Jayanti Rath.