Siali ropes keep Rath Yatra rolling for 400 years
2
Keonjhar: For nearly 400 years, the chariot of Lord Baladevjew, 'world's tallest' chariot, is pulled by ropes made from the bark of 'siali' creepers during Rath Yatra.
Historians said the Bhuyan community has been providing the ropes for a long time.
Locally sourced from nearby forests, siali creeper's bark is transformed into strong, thick ropes by hand.
Traditionally, six Bhuyan 'Pirha' would donate the ropes. Pirha means a habitation where hundreds of Bhuyan community families reside. Over time, due to a shortage of 'siali' creepers and other reasons, only Danla village in Suakati panchayat under Banspal block has kept the tradition alive.
As the festival nears, the villagers gather to make 'siali' ropes for the Nandighosh chariot of Sri Baladevjew Temple, Keonjhar.
From 'Akshaya Tritiya', villagers go to Gandhamardan hills to collect the siali bark.
The ropes are nearly 150ft long and up to 18 inches wide. "We make a total of four ropes by combining three for the journey," said Bhimsen Puhan of Danla.
Kunja Dehuri, the village chief of Danla, said, " From Akshaya Tritiya, everyone in the village goes to the hills to collect the bark of good 'siali' creepers and bring them back. On Snana Purnima, we make the rope after getting permission.
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Although its preparation is very difficult, we are continuing the tradition with a sense of devotion for hundreds of years."
The ropes, once tied to the chariot of Sri Baladevjew, are believed to carry blessings. Devotees often collect small pieces to keep at home for peace and prosperity. "The use of these ropes to pull the chariot is a very old tradition," said Raj Kishore Panda, chief servitor of the temple.
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