In a landmark move celebrating Odisha’s cultural and spiritual heritage, three sacred wheels from Lord Jagannath’s annual Rath Yatra will be installed at the Parliament complex in New Delhi. The proposal was presented by the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) during Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s visit to Puri, accompanied by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Puri MP Sambit Patra. Birla approved the proposal, marking a historic moment for the temple and the nation.

Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of SJTA, expressed gratitude for the Speaker’s approval, stating, “We are deeply grateful to the Hon’ble Speaker for graciously agreeing to our proposal to install one wheel each from the three sacred chariots of Rath Yatra at a prominent location within the Parliament premises.”

The wheels to be installed in Delhi come from the three iconic chariots of the annual Rath Yatra — Nandighosh (Lord Jagannath), Darpadalan (Goddess Subhadra), and Taladhwaj (Lord Balabhadra). These wheels will serve as permanent symbols of Odisha’s rich cultural and spiritual significance. Traditionally, the chariots are dismantled after the festival, with select parts, including wheels, auctioned, and new chariots rebuilt annually.

This installation represents the second major religious and cultural addition to the new Parliament building following the Sengol, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed near the Speaker’s chair in May 2023 to commemorate the transfer of power at Independence. The Rath Yatra wheels will now stand as a lasting tribute to Odisha’s heritage, further emphasizing the nation’s commitment to preserving and honoring its diverse cultural legacy.