Jagannath Rath Yatra: 45-Feet Height & 16-Wheeled Chariots Built By Chisels

Jagannath Rath Yatra continued from the 12th to the 21st century. Every year new chariots are built by devotees without any machinery or technology.

This year’s July 1st trip will go from the 12th-century Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple. New chariots are constructed every year with just chisels & other traditional tools.

The dimensions, including height, width, and other forms, have not changed for centuries.

It may seem strange to hear in this technological day, but in Puri, Odisha, craftspeople build the same chariot every year without the aid of any machinery or technology.

For both Balabhadra and Subhadra, Lord Jagannath customarily builds enormous chariots. These three chariots have garnered attention for their regal design and exquisite sculpting.

This year’s July 1st trip will go from the 12th-century Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple. According to researcher Asit Mohanty, new chariots are constructed every year.

Their dimensions, including height, width, and other features, have not changed for centuries. 

He stated that the artisans had no formal training. Only conventional technology, passed down from their forefathers, is available to them. 

More than 4,000 pieces of wood were used in the chariot construction. Additionally, they are born with the ability to create it.

16-Wheeled Chariot Built By Just Chisels

“Nandighosh” The 16-wheeled “Nandighosh” chariot of Lord Jagannath was constructed by Vijay Mohapatra, who claims to have been building chariots for 40 years. He said,

“My father, Lingaraj Mohapatra, trained it. This craft was taught to him by Dada Anant Mohapatra. 

This has been a centuries-old custom, and we are blessed to have the chance to worship the Lord. Chariots are only built with conventional tools like chisels and other such tools.”

Shapes & Sizes Are Constant For Decades

Reporters asked, “How has the haat’s shape remained constant over the years given that individual craftsmen’s hands vary in length?”

Mohapatra responded, “My father has given me a rod,” to this. This stick is referred to as a haat. This measures 20 inches. 

It takes 25 fingers to form a haat. These measurements are used to determine the chariots’ height and width.”

COVID Protection from State Govt.

Bijay Mohapatra, director of health services, stated that approximately 10 lakh visitors from both within the nation and outside are anticipated for the Rath Yatra.

In Puri, the state government has also established Covid Care Centers, and ICU beds and oxygen have been set up to handle any emergency.