Rath Yatra 2024: Odisha Artisans Create Folding 24-feet Chariot In Bengal’s Bankura

The eagerly awaited festival of Jagannath Rath Yatra is finally here. The annual festival attracts millions of devotees across the world. The sacred festival pays homage to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. Every year, devotees are blessed with a spectacular view of the journey of the chariots. With this, the festival is celebrated in every corner of the country. In West Bengal’s Bankura, a 12-foot chariot can be transformed into a 24-foot towering structure in an instant. This was made by chariot makers from Odisha. The chariot is equipped with hydraulics, with the help of which the head of the chariot can be easily enlarged. The actual height of the chariot is 24 feet but can be adjusted according to the needs of the procession route. The chariot was made just one year ago.

Experienced artists from ISKCON Bhubaneswar and ISKCON Puri have created this special chariot of Bankura. Currently, this special folding chariot structure is being taken from Netaji Teachers Training Institute to Lalbazar. The preparation of this chariot run by Bankura ISKCON has already started. The repair of the folding chariot started on Tuesday. This time the structure of the chariot is being taken to the premises of Lalbazar Durga Mandir. The folding chariot is being pulled by a tractor.

In Lalbazar, the wooden structure will be installed and the chariot will be beautified. Then on Saturday, the chariot will be decorated with a bed of flowers. Bankura ISKCON Rath Yatra started last year. At the Netaji Teachers Training Institute near Dhaldanga Mor in Bankura, artists from ISKCON Bhubaneswar and ISKCON Puri created the chariot last year.

Waiting for the chariot yatra is almost over. Only two days left for the vibrant festival. Before that, the excitement of preparations was seen in Bankura. Every type of chariot is being prepared here. This Rath Yatra is operated by Bankura ISKCON.

Ratha Yatra is celebrated on the second day of Shukla Paksha (Dwitiya Tithi) in the month of Ashadha, which falls in June or July. This year, the Rath Yatra will take place on July 7 in Puri. The nine-day festival will conclude on July 16 with the Bahuda Yatra or the return journey of Lord Jagannath with siblings to the main temple.