As the chariots get ready, everyone pitches in; there is plenty of work for traditional blacksmiths, painters, potters and people from many other professions.
"We make several paintings, including those of women with folded hands, dancers, and flowers," 40-year-old Nityananda Moharana said while showing his work.
Some 25 artisans are carving out the chariots, while 25 artists are painting them, the information officer in the temple administration, Laxmikanta Pujapanda, told rediff.com.
The construction of the chariots -- Lord Jagannath's Nandighosh, Balabhadra's Taladhwaja and Devi Subhadra's Padmadhwaja -- is almost complete, said 49-year-old Rabindra Maharana, one of the 78 carpenters working on them.
"During construction work we do not touch non-vegetarian food," he added.
Nandighosh is 45 feet high, Taladhwaja is 44 feet and Padmadhwaja 43 feet high. They have 16, 14 and 12 wheels respectively.
Also see: The Night of Infinite Light