Rath Yatra on the stone

Herewith I am presenting a set of two images, each consisting of two conjoined images that tells us about the way Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath was observed in ancient times.

These artifacts in fact lie neglected in open air, near the entrance of the Odisha State Museum, Bhubaneswar. It’s sad that the importance of these artifacts are not valued or cared for even at this age when ancient art and craft are considered to be of great value. Let’s see when the government wakes up.

One of these images show a chariot being pulled, on which either Lord Jagannath or Lord Balabhadra is seated. Because the idol has got garlands over it’s hands. At the middle of this image, you can see a bush, and at the right of this bush you can see the remains of another chariot (wheels only) that is again been pulled by devotees/servitors. At the left of this bush, you can see people beating ‘Ghanta’ (traditional one sided brass drums), blowing pipe instruments, beating drums and dancing as a part of the procession accompanying the Lords and their chariots. The depiction of more than one chariot also indicates that it is the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and not of any other deity (who usually use a single chariot).

The other image shows, adjacent to the musicians and dancers, people carrying the daily belongings of the Lords that they will need during the Rath Yatra period when they are away from their home (Sri Mandir/Sri Jagannath Temple) in order to visit the Gundicha Temple, their birth place.

In both these images, you can also see people carrying the ceremonial ‘Chhatra’ and ‘Chaamara’ that is a usual accompaniment in a hindu religious procession concerning a deity.

The age and place of origin of these artifacts are largely unknown. But it is perhaps the most detailed depiction of the events relating to Rath Yatra that is known to us.

Will the government give these artifacts a proper place of display inside the museum please and help in doing more research upon them so that we understand our heritage in a much better way and realise it’s historical importance?

[Please click on the images for the detailed view.]