Jagannath Rath Yatra Chariots: Know All About the 3 Chariots
Jagannath Chariot – Jagannath Rath Yatra is carried out annually at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. The yatra starts on the Dwitiya of the Shukla Paksha of the Hindu Month Ashadha. It will start on 1st July this year. Devotees from all over the world come to Puri to attend the famous Jagannath Rath Yatra.
During the Jagannath Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balarama, and Goddess Subhadra are carried on giant chariots from the temple to their aunt’s house. Three giant chariots are reconstructed for Lord Jagannath, Balarama, and Subhadra each year in Jagannath Temple Puri. The wood for the chariots is brought from Dasapalla from the tress of phassi and dhausa. More than 100 carpenters spend two months building the three chariots. Each year, a nearby mill produces nearly 2,000 meters of cloth, and the chariots are brilliantly colored. During the Jagannath Rath Yatra, people pull the chariots along the procession route using very robust coconut fiber ropes that measure 8 inches in diameter. Local blacksmiths spend one month crafting the fixtures, brackets, and nails of the chariots. The main body of the rath, above the wheels, is made up of eighteen pillars and a roof.
Each chariot has nine wood-made parswadevatas (subordinate deities), two wooden dwarapalas (doorkeepers), one wooden Sarathi (charioteer), and one wooden dhwaja devata (presiding God of the crest banner). The fact that each of these chariots has unique features makes them the most interesting.
Jagannath Chariot – Jagannath Rath Yatra Chariots
Lord Jagannath’s Chariot
The Nandighosha Rath is the name of Lord Jagannath’s chariot. It is also referred to as Kapidhwaja and Garudadhwaja. The Lord Jagannath Chariot can be recognized by its hue. The chariot of Lord Jagannath is the biggest chariot and features a canopy in the colors yellow and red. There are 4 horses pulling the chariot. The Chariot stands 45 feet tall and has 16 wheels.
Additionally, the Sudarshana Chakra logo is also installed on the chariot. Garuda is the chariot’s protector deity, and Daruka is its driver. The chariot’s flag is referred to as Trailokyamohini. Shankahchuda is the name of the rope used to draw the chariot. The chariot also contains the idols of Varaha, Govardhana, Krushna, Nrusimgha, Rama, Narayana, Trivikrama, Hanuman, and Rudra in addition to Lord Jagannath. Sankha and Chakra are the weapons, while Nandi Mukha is the name of the chariot’s visage.
| Other Names | Garudadhwaja and Kapidhwaja |
| Number of wheels | 16 |
| Total Number of wooden pieces used | 832 |
| Height | 44.2 Feet |
| Length and breadth | 34.6* 34.6 |
| Colors of the canopies | Red and Yellow |
| Weapons | Sankha & Chakra |
| Face | Nandi Mukha |
| Guard | Garuda |
| Charioteer | Daruka |
| Flag name | Trailokyamohini |
| Horses | Tibra, Ghora, Dighashrama,
Swamanava |
| Color of Horses | White |
| Rope Name | Basukhi |
| Presiding Deities | Ganesh, Kartikeya, Sarvamangala,
Pralambari, Halayudha, Mrutyunjaya, Natmvara, Mukteshwar, Sheshadeva. |
Jagannath Chariot – Lord Balabhadra’s Chariot
Taladhwaja is the name of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot. The second-largest of the chariots, the chariot of Balabhadra has a red and green canopy. The four horses pulling the chariot are black in color. The Chariot stands 44 feet tall and has 14 wheels.
Vasudev is the chariot’s guardian deity, and Matali is the charioteer. Nanda and Sunanda are the Chariot’s gatekeepers. The chariot’s flag is referred to as the Unani flag. The chariot’s pulling rope is referred to as Basuki. The chariot has the idols of Balabhadra, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Sarvamangala, Pralambari, Halayudha, Mrutyunjaya, Natamvara, Mukteshwar, and Sheshadeva in addition to Balabhadra. The swords are Hala & Musala, while the face of the chariot is known as Ketu Bhadra.
| Other Names | Taladhvaja |
| Number of wheels | 14 |
| Total Number of wooden pieces used | 763 pieces |
| Height | 43.3 feet |
| Length and breadth | 33*33 |
| Colors of the canopies | Red and Blue |
| Weapons | Hala & Musala |
| Face | Ketu Bhadra |
| Guard | Vasudev |
| Charioteer | Matali |
| Flag name | Unnani |
| Horses | Tibra, Ghora, Dighashrama,
Swamanava |
| Color of Horses | Black |
| Rope Name | Basukhi |
| Presiding Deities | Ganesh, Kartikeya, Sarvamangala,
Pralambari, Halayudha, Mrutyunjaya, Natmvara, Mukteshwar, Sheshadeva. |
Jagannath Chariot – Goddess Subhadra’s Chariot
Goddess Subhadra’s chariot is referred to as Devadalana. Other names for it include Padmadhwaja and Darpadalana. Goddess Subhadra’s chariot is the smallest of the chariots and features a canopy in the colors black and red. The four horses pulling the chariot are crimson in color. The chariot stands 43 feet tall and has 12 wheels.
Arjuna is the charioteer, and Jayadurga is the chariot’s guardian deity. The chariot’s flag is referred to as the Nadambika flag. Swarnachuda is the name of the rope that is used to draw the chariot. The chariot is adorned with the idols of Chandi, Chamunda, Ugratara, Vanadurga, Shulidurga, Varahi, Shyama Kali, Mangala, and Bimala in addition to Subhadra. The weapons are Padma & Kalhar, while the face of the chariot is known as Bhakti Sumedha.
| Other Names | Darpadalana and Padmadhwaja |
| Number of wheels | 12 |
| Total Number of wooden pieces used | 593 |
| Height | 42.3 feet |
| Length and breadth | 31.6*31.6 |
| Colors of the canopies | Red and Black |
| Weapons | Padma & Kalhar |
| Face | Bhakti Sumedha |
| Guard | Jayadurga |
| Charioteer | Arjuna |
| Flag name | Nadambika |
| Horses | Rochika, Mochika, Jita,
Aparajita |
| Color of Horses | Crimson |
| Rope Name | Swarnachuda |
| Presiding Deities | Vanadurga, Shulidurga, Varahi,
Shyama Kali, Mangala, and Vimala |
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