Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri has been planning to reintroduce “Hati seva” (elephant service) during the annual “rath yatra” of Lord Jagannath scheduled to be held on July 13.
We are in touch with ‘mahunts’ in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to get trained elephants for the traditional “Hati Seva” of Lord Jagannath during the rath yatra,” SJTA’s chief administrator PK Mohapatra, who is also revenue divisional commissioner (RDC) of central division, said.
Stating that the priests and local people demanded reintroduction of elephant service at preparatory meetings before the festival, Mohapatra said the elephants had last participated in the rath yatra celebration in 2002.
A female elephant named “Laxmi” died on her way back to Uttar Pradesh after taking part in the annual car festival in 2002. Prior to that elephants were being taken from Nandan Kanan Zoo to walk in the crowd during pulling of chariots.
According to a researcher in Jagannath cult, Rabindra Mishra, elephants had been part of the rituals of the 12th century Vishnu shrine for long. “Elephants used to walk before three wooden cars of the Lords and also in front of Gajapati king who performs “chhera panhara” (ceremonial sweeping of chariots)”, he said.
Besides adding royal touch to the festival, elephants also symbolise prosperity and good sign according to Hindu beliefs, said another researcher adding that statues of elephants were seen in most temples.
“Even one of the four gates to the temple is called ‘Hati Dwar’ where jumbos guard the shrine,” he said.
This apart, the kings of Orissa, were also referred as “Gajapati” (master of elephants).