New Delhi: The annual Ratha Yatra in Odisha’s Puri is one of the most important festivals in our country. Hundreds of devotees draw the deities, Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balaram and their sister Subhadra in three massive, wooden chariots on bada danda (the grand avenue) from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple and then embark on a return journey after seven days. Every year, the Rath Yatra is celebrated with great pomp and splendour as thousands of people take part in dragging the chariots and other rituals. This year, the Rath Yatra is going to take place on July 7, and on this occasion, we take a look at the respective chariots of the three deities.
Nandighosa: The chariot of Lord Jagannath
The chariot of Lord Jagannath is known as Nandighosa. Its height is 45 feet and its measurement at the wheel level is 45 feet square. It has sixteen wheels and each of them has a diameter of 7 feet, and is decorated with a cover of red and yellow colours. Lord Jagannatha is identified with Lord Krishna, also known as Pitambara, the one in golden yellow robes. Hence, the chariot’s canopy has yellow stripes. A total of 832 wooden pieces are used to build the chariot and its rope is called Sankhachuda Naguni.
Taladhwaja: The chariot of Lord Balaram
The chariot of Lord Balaram is called the Taladhwaja which means the one with the Palm Tree on its flag. The chariot has a total of 14 wheels and each of them has a diameter of 7 feet and is covered with red and blue cloth. It is 44 feet high and it takes 763 wooden pieces to build it. The rope of the chariot is known as the Basuki Naga.
Darpadalana: The chariot of Subhadra
The chariot of Jagannath and Balaram’s sister Subhadra is called the Darpadalana which means the ‘trampler of pride’. It is also known as the Padmadhwaja and the Devadalan. The height of the chariot f 43 feet and it has 12 wheels, each having a diameter of 7 feet. The chariot is decorated in a cover of red and black colours with black being generally associated with Shakti and the Mother goddess. A total of 593 pieces of wood are used to make this chariot and its rope is known as the Swarnachuda Naguni.
Hundreds of devotees draw the deities, Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balaram and their sister Subhadra in three massive, wooden chariots on bada danda (the grand avenue) from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple and back. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
