Khordha Family’s Handmade Floral Art Adds Divine Beauty to Jagannath Rath Yatra

July 15 (UDN): As Puri gears up for the grand Rath Yatra, a quiet yet remarkable tradition of devotion continues in Khordha, where a family has been dedicating its craftsmanship to the annual festival for over two decades.

The family of Rajkishore and Birakishore from Bhoi Sahi in Gurujang, Khordha district, has been creating intricate Sola Phula decorations made from the natural shola plant for the chariots of the three deities. Their handcrafted floral designs have become an important part of the visual splendour of the sacred procession.

The family begins preparing the decorations from Akshaya Tritiya, when the construction of the chariots traditionally begins. Every member of the household contributes to the process, carefully shaping lightweight shola material into beautiful flowers inspired by nature.

The handmade flowers, resembling blooms such as chrysanthemum, kadamba, and sunflower, are prepared with great patience and precision. The workshop remains busy for months as the family creates the decorations that will adorn the majestic chariots during the festival.

The family’s connection with this sacred service began in 2004 after receiving permission from the Shree Jagannath Temple administration to prepare and offer their handcrafted floral decorations. Since then, they have continued the tradition every year with deep faith and dedication.

The process involves collecting shola from different parts of Puri district, drying the material, and carefully carving it into detailed floral patterns. Traditional embellishments such as chumuki and meena are used to enhance the designs while maintaining the natural beauty of the craft.

For the family, the work is not merely an art form but an act of devotion. They follow traditional rituals while preparing the flowers and consider the opportunity to serve Lord Jagannath as their greatest honour.

The dedication of the Khordha family reflects the contribution of countless artisans whose skills and devotion remain an essential part of Odisha’s cultural heritage. Their handcrafted creations continue to add a special spiritual touch to one of India’s most celebrated religious festivals.