In Puri’s sacred Shri Kshetra, also known as Jagannath Dham, the annual Ratha Yatra marks the grand procession of Bhagwan Jagannath, Bhagwan Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra from the main Jagannath Temple to the Mausi Maa Temple. This festival provides a unique opportunity for devotees who are unable to enter the temple’s sanctum to witness the deities as they come into full public view. The deities travel in three separate chariots:
Nandighosha, Taladhwaj, and Darpadalana.
While Puri is the most renowned venue for Ratha Yatra, the festival is also celebrated in various regions of Odisha, as well as in different parts of India and abroad. A remarkable celebration occurs in Keonjhar, a tribal-dominated district of Odisha, where all three deities ride together in a single massive chariot, believed to be the tallest chariot in the world.
Keonjhar’s Ratha Yatra is rich in its own unique traditions. The presiding deity of Keonjhar is Bhagwan Shri Shri Baladevjiew, yet the chariot retains the name Nandighosha, in accordance with ancient customs.
A Legacy That Dates Back Centuries
Historically, Keonjhar was a princely state. In 1661 AD, the main temple was constructed, and the vigrahas were consecrated. The Ratha Yatra tradition commenced in 1671 AD, and ever since, Keonjhar’s Ratha Yatra has developed a distinctive identity. Bhagwan Baladevjiew is worshipped as the presiding deity, and the temple is named Shri Shri Baladevjiew Temple, although the chariot still carries the name Nandighosha.
On the day of Ratha Yatra, Bhagwan Baladevjiew, along with his younger brother Bhagwan Jagannath and sister Goddess Subhadra, embarks on the Gundicha Yatra aboard a massive chariot.
Architectural Marvel and Spiritual Symbol
The Bada Danda (Grand Avenue), stretching from the Baladevjiew Temple to the Mausi Maa Temple, measures approximately 545 metres in length and 28 metres in width. The defining feature of the Keonjhar chariot is its gigantic size, standing at 72 feet in height and 45 feet in width, and equipped with 16 wheels.
This immense chariot is constructed from three types of sacred wood Sal, Salmuli, and Dhala. It is never dismantled; instead, it remains standing year-round in front of the Baladevjiew Temple. Any damage to the structure is repaired, but the chariot is not rebuilt unless absolutely necessary.
Interestingly, while in Puri Bhagwan Jagannath returns to the temple as Dakshinayan (southern movement), in Keonjhar the chariot itself turns southward and returns as Uttarayan (northern movement). Another distinguishing feature is the crimson-coloured face of Goddess Subhadra in Keonjhar, whereas in Puri, her face is traditionally yellow.
The chariot is beautifully adorned with colourful fabrics, ornaments, vigrahas of the ten incarnations of Vishnu (Dashavatara), paintings, and various other decorations. This immense and ornate chariot has earned a place in the Greenwich Book of World Records as the tallest chariot in the world.
Unique Rituals and Tribal Traditions
The chariot is traditionally pulled using a special rope called Shiali Daudi (rope) , made from the Shiali creeper, a plant of spiritual significance. This sacred rope is provided by members of the Juang and Bhuiyan tribal communities, a tradition unique to Keonjhar that is not found in any other district of Odisha.
Significantly, the famous chariot of Keonjhar has been officially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s tallest Ratha Yatra chariot. According to the official website guinnessworldrecords.com, the chariot built for the Ratha Yatra in Keonjhar measures 22 metres (72 feet) in height, 14 metres (45 feet) in width, and 14 metres (45 feet) in length. This record was set on August 2, 2019. The colossal chariot is constructed anew each year using traditional methods, and the legacy of its construction stretches back over 300 years.
Before the Guinness recognition, the chariot had already been declared the tallest chariot in India by multiple record-keeping organisations, including the India Book of Records, Asia Pacific Records, Global Records, and the Wonder Book of Records.
Keonjhar’s Ratha Yatra stands as a glorious symbol of Odisha’s cultural and spiritual heritage, blending deep-rooted devotion, vibrant traditions, and tribal participation in a spectacular celebration of faith and community spirit.
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