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Rath Yatra is one of the most widely celebrated festivals of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra’s, and Devi Subhadra. During the festival, the deities are placed on the beautiful wooden chariots to travel between Jagannath and Gundicha temple. The structure of each chariots is very unique and anciently designed.
Basic Structure of the Chariots
Rath Yatra is celebrated each year, which means each year there is a different Raths for carrying the three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra’s, and Devi Subhadra. The devotees of Lord Jagannath made the Rath with hard work and devotion, without any use of modern technology. The entire chariots are 43-45 feet long and are pulled by the help of thick ropes, by the devotees
Here’s the basic structure of chariots:
1.The Base (Adhara): This is the base part which holds the weight of entire Rath. It is built with wood and aligned with the wooden-made joints, without the use of metal nails. The alignment is such a way that it balance the movement of Rath very smoothly.
2.Wheels (Chaka): These are the massive size of wooden wheels that are used to hold the entire weight of the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra’s, and Devi Subhadra. The wheels are finely carved and sharped by the tools.
3.Vertical Pillars (Bada): These are the pillars that support the height and the roof of the Rath. The pillars are beautifully designed and carved with ancient traditional look.
4.Roof and Canopy: The upper doom like structure is covering the roof of the Rath. It is a hand-made cloth of beautiful traditional look that is inspired from the design of Jagannath temple.
5.Decorative Elements: The rath is designed with beautiful wood horses, red flags on each chariot, beautiful paintings of flowers and birds all over the wheels, pillars, the cloth is also finely designed to match with the design of rest of the Rath. It looks like an ancient traditional look that is showing suitability to carry the Supreme Lord.
Designing the Chariots Without Modern Tools
Technology is made to form and arrange a structure in different perspectives. Many people find it so hard to believe that something so strong and stable can be formed without technology, Yet it does happen, by the mercy of Lord. The Rath of Rath Yatra is made every year to carry the massive deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra’s, and Devi Subhadra, without the use of modern technology.
The construction of Rath begins on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. It is the most auspicious day to build something, start something or offer something to the Lord. For this, there is a use of pious trees, like Phasi, Dhaura, and Ashan. The trees are not casually selected, they are selected upon specific terms- direction, place and the type of trees are pre-decided.
The entire process of painting the Rathas, structure the shape and size of the Ratha, and the cloth that is used for covering the back and the roof of the Entire Rath.
The Unique Identity of Each Chariot
The three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra’s, and Devi Subhadra are structurally the same. But, each of them is different in terms of identity, size and overall appearance. The number of the wheels, the colour of Ratha Body and the cloth that covers the entire roof is unique and traditionally designed. Here’s the explanation of how the three chariots are different:
1. Nandighosha (Jagannath’s Chariot): This is the largest and tallest chariots of all three, representing the role of Lord Jagannath, the Universal Lord. It is designed with lions, peacock and the beauty of Sun God.
Height: Approximately 45 feet
Wheels: 16
Color: Red and Yellow
Charioteer: Daruka
Flag: Trailokyamohini
Guardian Deity: Garuda
Horses: White (Shankha, Balahaka, Suweta, Haridashwa)
Symbolism: Universal compassion, spiritual authority, and all-encompassing divinity
2. Taladhwaja (Balabhadra’s Chariot)
This chariot is designed and labelled as per the nature of Balabhadra -mature and stable. The appearance of chariots symbolizing the simplicity and grounded.
Height: Around 44 feet
Wheels: 14
Color: Red and Green
Charioteer: Matali
Flag: Unnani
Guardian Deity: Hanuman
Horses: Black (Tibra, Ghora, Dirghasharma, Swarnanava)
Symbolim: Strength, justice, and protection
- Darpadalana or Devadalana (Subhadra’s Chariot)
This chariot is relatively smaller than two other chariots. It is beautifully decorated with the design of lotus flower, representing the motherhood- love and care for the devotees.
Height: Approximately 43 feet
Wheels: 12
Color: Red and Black
Charioteer: Arjuna
Flag: Nadisvara
Guardian Deity: Katyayani (Durga)
Horses: Red (Rochika, Mochika, Jita, Aparajita)
Symbolism: Feminine strength, mystery, and grace
Final Words
Building the chariots for Rath Yatra is more than a ritual. It is a service that is done by the blend of spirituality and tradition. Every single piece of wood is attached with another wood, no nails or other metallic tools are used. In this way the nature is also serving in the festival of Rath Yatra. Each year, when Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra’s, and Devi Subhadra taken out of the temple to honor on the beautiful chariots, the entire city feels the moment of happiness and the satisfaction of tears at the same time.
This whole process of moving the deities from one temple to another is a message of the Lord for all of us. He wants to us to remind that he doesn’t limit himself to the temple, he does come out and sees the devotees more personally. The art and the architechture of Rath is as beautiful as the chanting of the holy names of the Lord.
Another thing that the Lord remind us through the beautiful festival of Rath Yatra is that the sucess isn’t hidden inside the technological development. It is hidden inside the selfless service attitude towards the Lord. The spiritual progress cannot be measured with tools, machines and money, it can be measured with selfless attitude, devotional intensions and a pure heart for placing the Lord inside, and the desire to serve him.
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