Wooden Horses Ready As Puri Gears Up For Rath Yatra; Centuries-Old Craftsmanship Takes Centre Stage

Bhubaneswar: With just two days left for the world-famous Rath Yatra, the pilgrim city of Puri has entered the final phase of preparations; The three high chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are almost complete, accompanied by newly refurbished and artistically painted wooden horses that will symbolically lead the gods on their annual journey.

While the finishing touches were being applied to the massive chariots, the 12 wooden horses that have been an integral part of the centuries-old festival were also restored and decorated to reflect the rich artistic heritage preserved by generations of temple servants.

The restoration began with the Rupakara servants repairing and strengthening the wooden horses before handing them over to the Chitrakara servants. Using traditional techniques, craftsmen decorated them with intricate floral motifs and vibrant colors, turning wooden sculptures into striking symbols of devotion and craftsmanship.

According to tradition, Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha chariot will be driven by four white horses, Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja will be driven by four black horses, and Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana will be driven by four brown horses. Together, the 12 horses form an integral part of the sacred procession that brings together millions of devotees from around the world every year.

According to temple tradition, horses are tied to chariots only after the deities are ceremonially seated on their tracks during the Sri Gundicha Yatra, and Gajapati Maharaja performs the revered Chhera Pahanra ritual by symbolically sweeping the chariot platforms with a golden broom. Once the ceremonial wooden ramps are removed, the horses are hitched to the chariots, marking the final stage before the grand procession begins along the Badadanda or Great Road.

Rupakara servant Rajendra Mohapatra told OTV, “The horses are now ready. On the day of Sri Gundicha, Lord Jagannath will ascend and sit on his chariot. After he sits, Gajapati Maharaja will perform the Chhera Pahanra ritual. Once the wooden ramp is raised, the four horses will be yoked.”

He said teams of Rupakara servants assigned to each chariot worked in coordination to ensure that all the horses were securely secured before the chariots began their journey.

“We expect the chariots to eventually come down from Badadanda,” Mohapatra said.

The preparation of wooden horses is one of the many traditional rituals performed before the Rath Yatra, showcasing the Jagannath Temple’s unique service traditions preserved over centuries. Craftsmen and servants fulfill these responsibilities meticulously every year, ensuring that every part of the divine chariots reflects the holiness and magnificence of the festival.

With the chariots almost ready and the ceremonial decorations complete, Puri is all set to welcome lakhs of people for the nine-day festival, one of the largest and oldest religious ceremonies in the world, where Lord Jagannath is believed to leave his sanctum to bless devotees from all walks of life.