CONSTRUCTION OF CHARIOTS
The construction work for the Chariots of Puri Car Festival commences on the Akshya Trutiya. A particular family of carpenters owns the hereditary right to construct the chariots and they have been doing the job for centuries. The main carpenters and artisan group responsible for making the chariots are known as Viswakarma Sevakas. The carpenters (including helping assistants) work for 57 days at the Mahakhala (in front of the Gajapati King’s palace) and shape out 2188 pieces of wood for the construction of three chariots. Each chariot is covered with new cloths of radiant colour. Each chariot is fastened with four long ropes manufactured from coconut fibres to facilitate the devotees to pull them. Iron nails, brackets, clamps, etc. used for this purpose are indigenously prepared by the native smiths. The chariot's super structure (above the wheels) contains eighteen pillars and roofs at various stages which are known as bhuin, potala, parabhadi, etc. The chariot making process is complicated and there are 34 components of each chariot. Each chariot contains nine subsidiary deities (Parswa Devatas), four horses (Ghoda), two door keepers (Dwarapalas), one charioteer (Sarathi) and one deity for the top flag (Dhwaja Devata), eight female companions (Ashta Manjari), all made of wood.
Facts related to the construction of Chariots
- No manuals, no architectural drawings and no modern machines, but a group of craftsmen make massive and identical chariots for the Deities in Puri every year, using only traditional knowledge. There is no deviation in their heights, widths and other key parameters for centuries.
- The carpenters involved in the construction of Chariots do not have any formal training and education in art and culture or even have modern machinery and other types of equipment. They only have knowledge and techniques that have been trickled down from their forefathers.
- As many as 150 traditional craftsmen are engaged in chariot making for 57 days.
- Carpenters are not using units like feet or inches for measurements. Their measurements are in the units of 'Haat' (hand size) and 'Anguli' (finger size). The lengths of the hands of different carpenters are not similar, so they are using a stick, this stick is considered as one haat and is known as 'Hata Kathi' (a flat piece of wood). One haat is equivalent to 20 inches and 25 angulis make a haat. They use these measures over centuries to calibrate the height and width of the chariots.
- All carpenters and artisans only use traditional tools like the 'Mudgara' and 'Koramunda'. Mudgara is like a wooden hammer with a single base. It is one of the most common tools used by the carpenters. Koramunda is another type of small hammer used. Native drills are used for making holes. Other tools used are 'Puanra' (rounder) and 'Barishi' (special axe).
- Every year new chariots are constructed. Only the charioteer (Sarathi), horses (Ghoda), brass crowning element at top (Kalasa) and subsidiary deities (Parswa Devatas) are not made new every year. They are prepared on the year of Nabakalebara.
- 1090 meters of cloth used for 3 chariots every year. To cover the Chariots, 14 Darajis (tailors) prepare the Rath Mandani.
- The works department of the Odisha Government gives fitness certificates to the chariots before they are pulled during the Car Festival.
- After the completion of the Ratha Yatra, the chariots are dismantled and major portions of them are auctioned, remaining wood is sent to the temple kitchen.
Main groups of carpenters and artisans
The making of the chariots involves a large number of craftsperson and workers with a variety of special skills. Each group is responsible for specific parts of the chariots. The main groups of carpenters and artisans are as follows
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Images of Chariot construction
34 components/parts of the Chariot
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