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, each 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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. 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 Jaganath) 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 Gundicha Temple in a grand procession.
