Chariot Festival, the three chariots of Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Jagannath are built every year with the wood of certain trees, such as phasi, dhusa, etc., traditionally brought from the former prince Daspala, who has hereditary rights and authority. Same. These are usually rafted in rivers. These are collected near Puri and then transported by road.
These three chariots, built anew every year and decorated according to a unique scheme, and the Bada Danda, followed for centuries, stood on Grand Avenue. Covered with a bright floor made of red cloth, mixed with black, yellow, and blue, these huge chariots are lined up on the wide road in front of the great temple near its eastern entrance, Sinhawara—lion door.
Chariot Festival
Lord Jagannath’s chariot is called Nandigosa. It is forty feet high and twenty-five feet square at wheel level. It has sixteen wheels, every seven feet in diameter, and is decorated with covers made of red and yellow cloth. Identified with Lord Jagannath Krishna, who is also known as Pitambara, he is dressed in golden yellow robes and has yellow markings on the floor of this chariot.
Bhagwan Jagannath’s Chariot Details
Name: Nandighosa / Garudadhwaja / Kapidhwaja
Colour of the chariot: Red & Yellow
Number of wheels: 16
Diameter of wheels: 7 Feet
Number of wooden pieces used: 832
Height of the chariot: 13.5 m (45 feet)
Length & breadth: 34.6 Feet
Guarded by: Garuda/Narsingha
Gatekeepers: Jay & Vijay
Name of the charioteer: Daruka
Name of the flag: Trailokya Mohini
Weapons of the chariot: Shankha & Chakra
Power of the chariot: Bimala & Biraja
Number of horses: 4
Name of the horses: Shankha, Balahaka, Shveta, Haridashva
Colour of horses: White
Name of the rope: Sankhachuda
The Face of the chariot: Nandi Mukha
Subsidiary nine deities: Varaha, Govardhana, Krishna, Narsingha, Ram, Narayana, Trivikrama, Hanuman, Rudra
Rishis: Narada, Debal, Vyasa, Suka, Parashar, Vashista, Vishwamitra, Rudra
Lord Balabhadra’s chariot, called Taladwaja, has palm trees on its flag, fourteen wheels, every seven feet in diameter, and is covered with red and blue cloth. Its height is forty feet
Balaramji’s Chariot Details
Name: Taladhwaja
Colour of the chariot: Red & Green
Number of wheels: 14
Diameter of wheels: 6.6 Feet
Number of wooden pieces used: 763
Height of the chariot: 13.2 m (44 feet)
Length & breadth: 33 Feet
Guarded by: Vasudev
Gatekeepers: Nand & Sunanda
Name of the charioteer: Matali
Name of the flag: Unnani
Weapons of the chariot: Hala & Musala
Power of the chariot: Brahma & Shiva
Number of horses: 4
Name of the horses: Tibra, Ghora, Dirghashrama, Swarnanava
Colour of horses: Black
Name of the rope: Serpent Basuki
The face of the chariot: Ketu Bhadra
Subsidiary nine deities: Ganesha, Kartikeya, Sarvamangala, Pralambari, Halayudha, Mrutyunjaya, Natamvara, Mukteshwar, Sheshadeva
Rishis: Anjira, Poulastya, Pulaha, Asasti, Krushna, Mudgal, Atreya, Kasyap
The Subhadra chariot, known as the Mirrordalana, literally treads of pride, is forty feet high with twelve wheels, every seven feet in diameter. The chariot is decorated with a covering of red and black cloth, traditionally associated with Shakti and the Mother Goddess.
Devi Subhadra’s Chariot Details
Name: Devadalana / Darpadalana / Padmadhwaja
Colour of the chariot: Red & Black
Number of wheels: 12
Diameter of wheels: 6 Feet
Number of wooden pieces used: 593
Height of the chariot: 12.9 m (43 feet)
Length & breadth: 31.6 Feet
Guarded by: Jaydurga
Gatekeepers: Ganga & Jamuna
Name of the charioteer: Arjun
Name of the flag: Naadambika
Weapons of the chariot: Bhubaneswari & Chakra
Power of the chariot: Brahma & Shiva
Number of horses: 4
Name of the horses: Rochika, Mochika, Jita, Aparajita
Colour of horses: Red
Name of the rope: Swarnachuda
The face of the chariot: Bhakti, Sumedha, Chamar & Hasta
Subsidiary nine deities: Harchandi, Chamunda, Ugratara, Vanadurga, Bhubaneswari, Jayadurga, Varahi, Sarvmangal & Bimala
Rishis: Bhrigu, Suprava, Bajra, Dhruba, Shringi & Ulluk
Ratha Yatra or Chariot Festival is the oldest festival celebrated by Hindus in Odisha. This Ratha Yatra is the oldest in India and in the world.
Around each chariot are nine Parsava deities, with wooden figures representing various deities on the sides of the chariot Each chariot is attached to four horses These are of different colors – white for Balabhadra, dark for Jagannath, and red for Subhadra Each chariot has a charioteer called Sarathi The three chariots attached to the chariots of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are Matali, Daruka and Arjuna respectively.
This event is celebrated every year according to the Oriya calendar, falling on the second day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadh, which is generally June or July. The Ideal time for darshan is also when it is mostly considered very conducive to climatic conditions. The Odisha festival extends for nine days, commencing from the Rath Yatra and culminating on the last day with the Bahuda Jatra.
Now, during the Bahuda Jatra, the chariot of Lord Jagannath breaks its journey near the Mausi Maa Temple (Aunt of Lord Jagannath) on its return from the Ratha Yatra festival. In connection with this ceremony, the deity is offered his favorite Poda Pitha, a baked item intended particularly for the needy. During the Ratha Yatra, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are taken out from their sacred abode to the Gundicha Temple in a grand procession.
