The construction work of the three chariots starts on the auspicious Akshaya Tritiya day and gets completed with in forty-four days, a day prior to the Rath Yatra or Car Festival. The construction of chariots begins after the temple priests hand over Ajnamallyas (order of the Lord) from the Lord Jagannath to the Biswakarmas (chief carpenters).

A number of carpenters and their assistants work under a chief carpenter called Maharana. Sutar Maharana and Tali Maharana, who belong to the lower order of the chief carpenter, too supervise the on going work at Ratha Khala (construction yard) along the Grand Road. They are designated as Saree Bandha Biswakarmas, (royal permission holders). One Amina Maharana shoulders the responsibility of supplying required size timbers to the carpenters at work in the yard.

Being indulged into the holy task of constructing gigantic chariots, the carpenters, however, are not getting any satisfactory reinforcement that they feel the temple administration should dole out to them. They come from various remote villages of the district and belong to economically backward class.

"Every year we used to construct Nandighosh Rath (13.9 metres height) of Lord Jagannath with 16 giant wheels, Taladhwaj (13.5 metres height) of Lord Balabhadra with 14 wheels and Darpadalan (12.9 metres height) of Devi Subhadra with 12 wheels using total 872 pieces of timber of various tree species like Asan, Dhaura and Phasi, said Bijay Kumar Mohapatra the head carpenter.

"Specific types of timber logs are used to prepare the axle, wheel and the spokes besides the other parts of the chariots. All the three chariots are fitted with unique shock absorber systems with manual operated front brakes. For our service the then rulers had granted us the right to take balance timber as `Khei' (remuneration) which the temple administration has now stopped and compensating in terms of rupees," Mohapatra added.

Carpenters work for nearly 10 hours a day under the supervision of senior Maharanas in the Ratha Khala. Sometime they have to double up the work in the event of work hampering due to natural calamity like rain and cyclone to meet the deadline.

Apart from the carpenters a number of Roopakaras (sculptors and painter) display their skill by engraving and colouring the images of (Parswadevatas) guarding deities on all four sides of the chariots. They use bright traditional colours to decorate the images lively created by the wood sculptors on detachable wood pieces. After putting colours then fix them to places around the chariots.

A number of blacksmiths display their skill to strengthen the weak portions particularly the wheels by reinforcing them with iron clamps and hooks. Apart from these, a set of traditional tailors (Durjees) work for a week to deck the chariots with their assigned coloured cloths.

On the Rath Yatra day the presiding deities go on a pleasure ride to their aunt's house Gundicha Temple for a nine day sojourn. Their trip to aunt's house is celebrated as Rath Yatra.