Wooden Horses Ready As Puri Gears Up For Rath Yatra; Centuries-Old Craftsmanship Takes Centre Stage
The restoration began with the Rupakara servitors, who repaired and strengthened the wooden horses before handing them over to the Chitrakara servitors.
Bhubaneswar: With just two days remaining for the world-famous Rath Yatra, the pilgrim town of Puri has entered the final phase of preparations, as the three towering chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra stand nearly complete, accompanied by the freshly refurbished and artistically painted wooden horses that will symbolically lead the deities on their annual journey.
While the massive chariots are receiving their finishing touches, the 12 wooden horses—an inseparable part of the centuries-old festival—have also been restored and decorated, reflecting the rich artistic heritage preserved by generations of temple servitors.
The restoration began with the Rupakara servitors, who repaired and strengthened the wooden horses before handing them over to the Chitrakara servitors. Using traditional techniques, the artisans adorned them with intricate floral motifs and vibrant colours, transforming the wooden sculptures into striking symbols of devotion and craftsmanship.
As per tradition, Lord Jagannath's Nandighosha chariot will be drawn by four white horses, Lord Balabhadra's Taladhwaja by four black horses, while Devi Subhadra's Darpadalana will be led by four brown horses. Together, the 12 horses form an integral part of the sacred procession that draws millions of devotees from across the world every year.
According to temple tradition, the horses are yoked to the chariots only after the deities are ceremonially seated on their respective raths during the Sri Gundicha Yatra and the Gajapati Maharaja performs the revered Chhera Pahanra ritual, symbolically sweeping the chariot platforms with a golden broom. Once the ceremonial wooden ramps are removed, the horses are fastened to the chariots, marking the final stage before the grand procession begins along the Badadanda, or Grand Road.
"Horses are ready now. On the day of Sri Gundicha, Lord Jagannath will ascend and be seated on His chariot. After He is seated, the Gajapati Maharaja will perform the ritual of Chhera Pahanra. Once the wooden ramp is removed, the four horses are yoked," Rupakara servitor Rajendra Mohapatra told OTV.
He said teams of Rupakara servitors assigned to each chariot work in coordination to ensure that all the horses are securely fixed before the chariots begin their journey.
"We are waiting for the chariots to finally roll down the Badadanda," Mohapatra said.
The preparation of the wooden horses is one of the many traditional rituals carried out ahead of Rath Yatra, showcasing the unique service traditions of the Jagannath Temple that have been preserved for centuries. Every year, artisans and servitors execute these responsibilities with meticulous care, ensuring that every component of the divine chariots reflects the sanctity and grandeur of the festival.
With the chariots nearly ready and the ceremonial decorations complete, Puri is now poised to welcome lakhs of devotees for the nine-day festival, one of the world's largest and oldest religious processions, where Lord Jagannath is believed to leave His sanctum to bless devotees from all walks of life.
