3 Chariots in Ratha Yatra
Every year in mid-summer, Lord Jagannath, with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, goes on vacation, traveling on grand chariots, from his temple in Puri to his garden palace in the countryside. This belief of the Hindus has given rise to one of the biggest religious festivals in India — the Rath Yatra or the Chariot Festival. This is also the etymological origin of the English word ‘Juggernaut’.
Jagannath, believed to be an avatar of Lord Vishnu, is the Lord of Puri — the coastal town of Orissa in eastern India. Rath Yatra is of great significance to the Hindus, and especially to the people of Orissa. It is during this time that the three deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken out in a grand procession in specially made gigantic temple-like chariots called raths, which are pulled by thousands of devotees. The Ratha Yatra festival symbolizes equality and integration. The deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra along with lord Sudarshana make an annual journey to their aunt’s temple i.e Gundicha Mandir in the chariots NANDIGHOSHA, TALADHWAJA, and DARPADALANA These chariots are constructed every year and have proper specification and designs.
(CLICK THE ABOVE IMAGE TO WATCH RATHA YATRA LIVE FROM PURI)
NANDIGHOSHA : THE CHARIOT OF LORD JAGANNATH
Number of wheels: 16
Total Number of wooden pieces used: 832
Height: 44′ 2″
Length and breadth: 34’6″ x 34’6″
Wrappings: Red, Yellow color cloths
Guarded by: Garuda
Name of the charioteer: Daruka
The flag: Trailokyamohini
The horses: Shankha, Balahaka, Suweta, Haridashwa
The rope: Sankhachuda Naguni
Presiding Nine Deities:
(1) Varaha
(2) Gobardhan
(3) Krishna, Gopi Krishna
(4) Nursingha
(5) Rama
(6) Narayan
(7) Trivikrama
(8) Hanuman
(9) Rudra
TALADHWAJA: THE CHARIOT OF LORD BALABHADRA
Number of wheels: 14
Total Number of wooden pieces used: 763
Height: 43′ 3″
Length and breadth: 33′ x 33′ 4801280464_72412fe4ea_z
Wrappings: Red, Bluish green color cloths
Guarded by: Basudev
Name of the charioteer: Matali
The flag: Unnani
The horses: Tribra, Ghora, Dirghasharma, Swornanava
The rope: Basuki Naga
Presiding Nine Deities:
(1) Ganesh
(2) Kartikeya
(3) Sarvamangala
(4) Pralambari
(5) Hatayudha
(6) Mrutyunjaya
(7) Natamvara
(8) Mukteswar
(9) Sheshadeva
DEBADALANA: THE CHARIOT OF GODDESS SUBHADRA
Number of wheels: 12
Total Number of wooden pieces used: 593
Height: 42′ 3″
Length and breadth: 31’6″ x 31’6″
Wrappings: Red, Black colour cloths
Guarded by: Jayadurga
Name of the charioteer: Arjuna
The flag: Nadambika
The horses: Rochika, Mochika, Jita, Aparajita
The rope: Swarnachuda Naguni
Presiding Nine Deities:
(1) Chandi
(2) Chamunda
(3) Ugratara
(4) Vanadurga
(5) Shulidurga
(6) Varahi
(7) Shyamakali
(8) Mangala
(9) Vimala
