Know all about the Chariots (‘Ratha’) of Puri Ratha Jatra in Odisha, India

The most significant feature of the Puri Ratha Jatra – the world famous car festival celebrated in Odisha, India – are the towering temple-shaped chariots that are built to carry the three deities from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. These chariots are undoubtedly an architectural delight! The utmost fascinating aspect is the detailed process by which the chariots are newly made every single year. The process takes places in various stages, each coinciding with an auspicious festival on the Hindu calendar.

Interesting Facts About the Craftsmen

It is mostly referred to as a labour of love for around 200 carpenters, helpers, blacksmiths, tailors, and painters who work tirelessly within a strict 58-day deadline.
The craftsmen do not follow any written instructions.
Instead, all the knowledge is handed down from generation to generation.
Only one family of carpenters has hereditary rights to the construction of the chariots.

The whole process of making the massive chariots are done in different stages. Some of the important stages are highlighted below :

Delivery and Cutting of the Wood

The wooden logs are supplied free of cost by the State Government of Odisha.
They are delivered to the area outside the Jagannath Temple office on Basant Panchami (also referred to as Saraswati Puja), which is celebrated as the birthday of Saraswati – the Goddess of knowledge. This takes place mostly in the month of January or February.
Over 4,000 pieces of wood are required to make the chariots, and the Odisha Government has even started a plantation program in 1999 to replenish forests.
The cutting of the logs to the required sizes are conducted at saw mills on Ram Navami, which is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ram. This takes place mostly in the month of March or April.

Construction of The Chariots

Chariot construction takes place at the front of the Royal Palace near the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
It commences on Akshay Tritiya, a particularly auspicious occasion in April or May.
It is popularly believed that any activity which is initiated on this day will definitely be fruitful. It also marks the beginning of Chandan Jatra, a 42 day sandalwood festival at the Jagannath Temple.
Prior to the commencement of construction, the temple priests gather to perform a holy fire ritual.
The priests, dressed in bright attire, sing and carry garlands that are delivered to the chief carpenters. The work on all three chariots begins and ends simultaneously.
It starts with the wheels, resembling the large, round eyes of Lord Jagannath. A total of 42 wheels are required for the three chariots. The wheels are affixed to the principal axles on the last day of Chandan Yatra. Devotees come in huge numbers to see it and pay homage.

Decoration of the Chariots

Great care and attention is given to the decoration of the chariots, highlighting the superb craftsmanship of the artisans of Odisha.
The wood is carved with designs inspired by Odisha temple architecture.
The frames and wheels of the chariots are also brightly painted with traditional designs.
The canopies of the chariots are covered in approximately 1,250 meters of intricately embroidered green, black, yellow, and red cloth.
This dressing of the chariots is carried out by a team of tailors who make cushions for the gods to rest on as well.
On the day before the festival starts, in the afternoon, the chariots are dragged to the Lion Gate entrance of the Jagannath Temple.
The next morning, on the first day of the festival (known as Sri Gundicha), the deities are taken out of the temple and installed in the chariots.

What happens to the chariots after the festival of Ratha Jatra is over?

The chariots are dismantled and the wood is used in the kitchen of the Jagannath Temple.
It’s considered to be one of the largest kitchens in the world. A remarkable 56 types of mahaprasad (devotional food) are prepared there, in earthen pots over fire, for offering to Lord Jagannath.
The temple kitchen has the capacity to cook for 100,000 devotees per day.

Chariot Details and Specifications

Each of the three chariots in the Puri Rath Yatra festival carries one of the deities from the Jagannath Temple. Each chariot is attached to four horses, and has a charioteer. Their details are as follows:

Lord Jagannath

Chariot Name: Nandighosa

Chariot Height: 45 feet, six inches.

Number and Height of Wheels: 16 wheels measuring six feet in diameter.

Chariot Colors: Yellow and red. (Lord Jagannath is associated with Lord Krishna, also known as Pitambara, “the one draped in golden yellow robes”).

Horse Color: White.

Charioteer: Daruka.

Lord Balabhadra

Chariot Name: Taladhwaja — meaning “one with the palm tree on its flag”.

Chariot Height: 45 feet.

Number and Height of Wheels: 14 wheels measuring six feet six inches in diameter.

Chariot Colors: Green and red.

Horse Color: Black.

Charioteer: Matali.

Devi Subhadra

Chariot Name: Debadalana — meaning literally, “trampler of pride”.

Chariot Height: 44 feet, six inches.

Number and Height of Wheels: 12 wheels, measuring six feet eight inches in diameter.

Chariot Colors: Black and red. (Black is traditionally associated with female energy shakti and the Mother Goddess).

Horse Color: Red.

Charioteer: Arjuna.

Significance of the Chariots

The temple-shaped chariots in the Puri Rath Yatra festival have special meaning. The concept is explained in the holy text, the Katha Upanishad. The chariot represents the body, and the deity inside the chariot is the soul. Wisdom acts as the charioteer that controls the mind and its thoughts.

There’s a famous Odia song that says that the chariot merges and becomes one with Lord Jagannath during the festival. Simply touching the chariot or rope that pulls it is believed to bring prosperity.

Not only are the chariots in the Rath Yatra festival made out of wood, but the three deities (Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra) are as well. They’re hand carved usually every 12 years (although the shortest period has been eight years and the longest 19 years) in a process known as Nabakalebara. This means “new body”. The festival takes on added importance in the years that this happens. The last Nabakalebara ritual took place in 2015. Take a look at the complete handbook on Ratha Jatra to know all about this grand festival.

Happy Travelling!