Misplaced Pages

Temple car: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 15:37, 6 April 2023 editArunram (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Rollbackers6,961 edits →Tamil Nadu: minor changes← Previous edit Latest revision as of 02:56, 10 September 2024 edit undo162.222.63.62 (talk) →Early photographs and lithography of temple chariots: TypoTags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit 
(48 intermediate revisions by 20 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Vehicle carrying representation of Hindu god(s)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2017}} {{more citations needed|date=January 2017}}
], India.]] ]
⚫ '''Temple cars'''<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Rajarajan|first1=R. K. K.|last2=Rajukalidoss|first2=Parthiban|title=Nāyaka Chefs-d'oeuvre: Structure and Iconography of the Śrīvilliputtūr Tēr|url=https://www.academia.edu/43392779|journal=Acta Orientalia|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rajarajan|first=R. K. K.|title=Iconographic Programme in Temple Cars: A Case Study of Kūṭal Alakar tēr|url=https://www.academia.edu/3308656|journal=East and West, Istituto Italiano per l'Africa e l'Oriente (IsIAO), Rome|language=en}}</ref> or Temple chariots are used to carry representations of ] around the streets of the temple on festival days. These chariots are generally manually pulled by the devotees of the deity.
⚫ ], ].]]

⚫ '''Temple cars'''<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Rajarajan|first1=R. K. K.|last2=Rajukalidoss|first2=Parthiban|title=Nāyaka Chefs-d'oeuvre: Structure and Iconography of the Śrīvilliputtūr Tēr|url=https://www.academia.edu/43392779|journal=Acta Orientalia|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rajarajan|first=R. K. K.|title=Iconographic Programme in Temple Cars: A Case Study of Kūṭal Alakar tēr|url=https://www.academia.edu/3308656|journal=East and West, Istituto Italiano per l'Africa e l'Oriente (IsIAO), Rome|language=en}}</ref> or Temple chariots are used to carry representations of ] around the streets of the temple on festival days. These chariots are generally manually pulled by the devotees of the deity.
⚫ As of 2004, Tamil Nadu had 515 wooden carts, 79 of which needed repairs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Government of Tamil Nadu Welcomes You |url=http://www.tn.gov.in/policynotes/archives/policy2003-04/hrce2003-04-3.htm |website=tn.gov.in |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121219065440/http://www.tn.gov.in/policynotes/archives/policy2003-04/hrce2003-04-3.htm |archive-date=19 December 2012}}</ref> ], ], ] Natarajar Temple are among the temples that possess these huge wooden chariots for regular processions.

The Natarajar Temple celebrates the chariot festival twice a year; once in the summer (Aani Thirumanjanam, which takes place between June and July) and another in winter (Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai, which takes place between December and January). Lord Krishna of Udupi has five temple cars, namely ''Brahma ratha'' (the largest), ''Madya ratha'' (medium), ''kinyo'' (small), and the silver and gold rathas.


The size of the largest temple cars inspired the ] term ] (from ]), signifying a tremendous, virtually unstoppable force or phenomenon. The size of the largest temple cars inspired the ] term ] (from ]), signifying a tremendous, virtually unstoppable force or phenomenon.


==History==
⚫ As of 2004, Tamil Nadu had 515 wooden carts, 79 of which needed repairs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Government of Tamil Nadu Welcomes You |url=http://www.tn.gov.in/policynotes/archives/policy2003-04/hrce2003-04-3.htm |website=tn.gov.in |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121219065440/http://www.tn.gov.in/policynotes/archives/policy2003-04/hrce2003-04-3.htm |archive-date=19 December 2012}}</ref> ], ], ] Natarajar Temple are among the temples that possess these huge wooden chariots for regular processions. The Natarajar Temple celebrates the chariot festival twice a year; once in the summer (Aani Thirumanjanam, which takes place between June and July) and another in winter (Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai, which takes place between December and January). Lord Krishna of Udupi has five temple cars, namely ''Brahma ratha'' (the largest), ''Madya ratha'' (medium), ''kinyo'' (small), and the silver and gold rathas.
{{Further information|Ratha Yatra}}
]
], India.]]
Temple cars are used during festivals called ''Ratha Yatra'', a procession in a chariot accompanied by the public. It typically refers to a procession (journey) of deities, people dressed like deities, or simply religious saints and political leaders.<ref name="Michaels1996p270">{{cite book|author1=Michaels|author2=Cornelia Vogelsanger|author3=Annette Wilke|title=Wild Goddesses in India and Nepal: Proceedings of an International Symposium, Berne and Zurich, November 1994|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1wbXAAAAMAAJ|year=1996|publisher=P. Lang|isbn=978-3-906756-04-2|pages=270–285}}</ref> The term appears in medieval texts of India such as the ], which mention the Ratha Yatra of ] (Sun god), of ] (Mother goddess), and of ]. These chariot journeys have elaborate celebrations where the individuals or the deities come out of a temple accompanied by the public journeying with them through the ''Ksetra'' (region, streets) to another temple or to the river or the sea. Sometimes the festivities include returning to the sacrosanctum of the temple.<ref name="Michaels1996p270"/><ref name="Banglapedia">{{cite book|last=Mandai|first=Paresh Chandra|title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh|publisher=]|year=2012|editor1-last=Islam|editor1-first=Sirajul|editor1-link=Sirajul Islam|edition=Second|chapter=Rathajatra|editor2-last=Jamal|editor2-first=Ahmed A.|chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Rathajatra}}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


Traveler ] who visited India during 400 CE notes the way temple car festivals were celebrated in India.
⚫ ==Largest temple chariot==


{{Quote|The cities and towns of this country are the greatest of all in the Middle Kingdom . The inhabitants are rich and prosperous, and vie with one another in the practice of benevolence and righteousness. Every year on the eighth day of the second month they celebrate a procession of images. They make a four-wheeled car, and on it erect a structure of four storeys by means of bamboos tied together. This is supported by a king-post, with poles and lances slanting from it, and is rather more than twenty cubits high, having the shape of a tope. White and silk-like cloth of hair is wrapped all round it, which is then painted in various colours. They make figures of devas, with gold, silver, and lapis lazuli grandly blended and having silken streamers and canopies hung out over them. On the four sides are niches, with a Buddha seated in each, and a Bodhisattva standing in attendance on him. There may be twenty cars, all grand and imposing, but each one different from the others. On the day mentioned, the monks and laity within the borders all come together; they have singers and skillful musicians; they pay their devotion with flowers and incense. The Brahmans come and invite the Buddhas to enter the city. These do so in order, and remain two nights in it. All through the night they keep lamps burning, have skillful music, and present offerings. This is the practice in all the other kingdoms as well. The Heads of the Vaisya families in them establish in the cities houses for dispensing charity and medicines. All the poor and destitute in the country, orphans, widowers, and childless men, maimed people and cripples, and all who are diseased, go to those houses, and are provided with every kind of help, and doctors examine their diseases. They get the food and medicines which their cases require, and are made to feel at ease; and when they are better, they go away of themselves.|Faxian, c. 415 CE<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2124/2124-h/2124-h.htm |title=''A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms'' (Chapter XXVII: Pataliputra or Patna, In Magadha)|website=gutenberg.org |author=Fa-Hien|publication-date=415 |year=1875 |version=Translated}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>}}
⚫ The procession of the Asia's largest and greatest temple car of ] ] in Tamil Nadu features prominently in an ancient festival held in the town.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Official Website of Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple,Tiruvarur - Festival|url=http://thiyagarajaswamytemple.tnhrce.in/festival.html|access-date=2021-03-10|website=thiyagarajaswamytemple.tnhrce.in}}</ref> The annual chariot festival of the Thygarajaswamy temple is celebrated during April – May, corresponding to the Tamil month of Chitrai. The chariot is the largest of its kind in Asia and India weighing 300 tonne with a height of 90 feet. The chariot comes around the four main streets surrounding the temple during the festival. The event is attended by lakhs of people from all over Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Festivals, Culture & Heritage {{!}} Tiruvarur District, Government of Tamil Nadu {{!}} India|url=https://tiruvarur.nic.in/tourism/festivals-culture-heritage/|access-date=2021-03-09|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Early photographs and lithography of temple chariots==
<gallery mode="packed" heights=220px style="text-align:left" caption="Vintage Temple chariot procession pictures">
File:Car Procession In Bangalore.jpg|Someshwara Temple chariot in 1918.
File:Ratha Jatra optocht met versierde wagens ter ere van Jagannath in Madurai, RP-F-F80205.jpg|Chariot procession in Madurai in 1872.
File:Banashankari Car.jpg|Banashankari Temple (Badami) chariot in 1855.
File:Kurt boeck indien nepal 076B.jpg|Srirangam Temple chariot in the 1890s.
File:Juggernaut Car, Madras MET DT6337.jpg|Juggernaut Car, Madras, 1850.
File:The Kumari jatra. Three temple cars outside the Hanuman Dhoka, or Old Palace, Kathmandu - Oldfield collection (1850-1863) - BL WD 3279.jpg|Three temple cars outside the Hanuman Dhoka, or Old Palace, Kathmandu - Oldfield collection (1850-1863)
File:Juggernaut.jpeg|The Car of Juggernaut, as depicted in the 1851 ''Illustrated London Reading Book''
File:Juggernaut kar in het Ulsoor tempelcomplex te Bangalore in India, KITLV 92036.tiff|Temple car in Bangalore, 1870
</gallery>

⚫ ==Largest temple chariot==
⚫ ], ].]]
⚫ The procession of the Asia's largest and greatest temple car of ] ] in Tamil Nadu features prominently in an ancient festival held in the town.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Official Website of Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple,Tiruvarur - Festival|url=http://thiyagarajaswamytemple.tnhrce.in/festival.html|access-date=2021-03-10|website=thiyagarajaswamytemple.tnhrce.in}}</ref> The annual chariot festival of the Thygarajaswamy temple is celebrated during April – May, corresponding to the Tamil month of Chitrai. The chariot is the largest of its kind in Asia and India weighing 300 tons with a height of 90 feet. The chariot comes around the four main streets surrounding the temple during the festival. The event is attended by lakhs of people from all over Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Festivals, Culture & Heritage {{!}} Tiruvarur District, Government of Tamil Nadu {{!}} India|url=https://tiruvarur.nic.in/tourism/festivals-culture-heritage/|access-date=2021-03-09|language=en-US}}</ref>


The Aazhi Ther is the biggest temple chariot in Tamil Nadu. The 30-foot tall temple car, which originally weighed 220 ton, is raised to 96 feet with bamboo sticks and decorative clothes, taking its total weight to 350 tons. Mounted on the fully decorated temple car, the presiding deity – Lord Shiva – went around the four streets with the devotees pulling it using huge ropes. Two bulldozers were engaged to provide the required thrust so that devotees could move the chariot.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 16, 2016|first=K. Sambath|last=Kumar|title=Car festival held at Tiruvarur Thyagaraja Swamy Temple after a gap of six years|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/car-festival-held-at-tiruvarur-thyagaraja-swamy-temple-after-a-gap-of-six-years/articleshow/52777136.cms|access-date=2021-03-09|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> The Aazhi Ther is the biggest temple chariot in Tamil Nadu. The 30-foot tall temple car, which originally weighed 220 tons, is raised to 96 feet with bamboo sticks and decorative clothes, taking its total weight to 350 tons. Mounted on the fully decorated temple car, the presiding deity – Lord Shiva – went around the four streets with the devotees pulling it using huge ropes. Two bulldozers were engaged to provide the required thrust so that devotees could move the chariot.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 16, 2016|first=K. Sambath|last=Kumar|title=Car festival held at Tiruvarur Thyagaraja Swamy Temple after a gap of six years|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/car-festival-held-at-tiruvarur-thyagaraja-swamy-temple-after-a-gap-of-six-years/articleshow/52777136.cms|access-date=2021-03-09|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>


== Gallery == == Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed" style="font-size:88%; line-height:130%; border-bottom:1px #aaa solid;" heights="210"> <gallery mode="packed" style="font-size:88%; line-height:130%; border-bottom:1px #aaa solid;" heights="210">
File:Taladhwaja, Darpadalana and Nandighosha in 2021 Ratha Jatra.jpg|Taladhwaja, Darpadalana and Nandighosha in 2021 Ratha Jatra, Odisha, India.
Temple Chariot in Bannur.jpg|Temple chariot in Bannur, Mysore.
File:Chidambaram festival.jpg|Temple festival in ], Tamil Nadu, India.
House of Temple car (chariot).jpg|House of ] temple car at ], ], where temple car preserves or rests during non-function.
Tiruvarur temple car festival 2010.jpg|] temple car, the largest (chariot) temple car in the world, it weighing {{convert|300|t|0}} with a height of {{convert|90|ft|m|2}}. Tiruvarur temple car festival 2010.jpg|] temple car, the largest (chariot) temple car in the world, it weighing {{convert|300|t|0}} with a height of {{convert|90|ft|m|2}}.
Theru.JPG|Type of temple car called ''Theru'' from the ], ] Theru.JPG|Type of temple car called ''Theru'' from the ], ]
Kuthira.JPG|Type of temple car called ''Kuthira'' from the ], ] Kuthira.JPG|Type of temple car called ''Kuthira'' from the ], ]
Decorated chariot, Udupi, India.jpg|Temple car (decorated), ], Karnataka, ]. Decorated chariot, Udupi, India.jpg|Temple car (decorated), ], Karnataka, ].
File:Bisket Jatra Chariot Bhaktapur.jpg|Bisket Jatra Chariot Bhaktapur, Nepal.
Srivilliputtur andal temple car in 1940.jpg|] Andal Temple car which was idle 18 years up to 1974 – 2nd largest Temple Car in Tamil Nadu.
Nellaiappar Temple Golden Car Nov 2 2009.jpg|Picture of ] Nellaiappar Temple Golden car. Nellaiappar Temple Golden Car Nov 2 2009.jpg|Picture of ] Nellaiappar Temple Golden car.
தேர்.jpg|Picture of ] People pulling Sivasailanathaswamy Temple car. தேர்.jpg|Picture of ] People pulling Sivasailanathaswamy Temple car.
File:Taladhwaja, Darpadalana and Nandighosha in 2021 Ratha Jatra Taladhwaja, Darpadalana and Nandighosha Ratha in fornt of Jagananth temple in 2021 Ratha Jatra.jpg|Temple cars in front of Jagananth temple, 2021
Temple car.jpg|Temple car in ], ].

</gallery> </gallery>


== List of places with temple cars == == List of places with traditional Temple cars ==


<!--Maintain proper alphabetical order. Entries should be made like ], ] (])--> <!--Maintain proper alphabetical order. Entries should be made like ], ] (])-->
Line 43: Line 68:
* ] (Abiramiyamman Kovil) * ] (Abiramiyamman Kovil)
* ] (Betarayaswamy Kovil) * ] (Betarayaswamy Kovil)
* ] (], Sivagiri, Sivanmalai) * ] (], Sivagiri, Sivanmalai,])
* ] (Sri Kondathukalaimman Temple, Sri Balamurugan Temple, etc.) * ] (Sri Kondathukalaimman Temple, Sri Balamurugan Temple and others)
* ] * ]
* ] (Somasundareswarer Kovil) * ] (Somasundareswarer Kovil)
* ] (], ] and others)
* ]
* (Shri Mariamman Kovil) * (Shri Mariamman Kovil)
* ] (Ekaambaranathar Kovil)
* ] (]) * ] (])
* ] (Sri Saarangapani Temple and others) * ] (Sri Saarangapani Temple and others)
⚫ * ] (])
* ] (Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple and others) * ] (Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple and others)
* ] (Sri vidhya Rajagopalaswamy temple) * ] (Sri vidhya Rajagopalaswamy temple)
Line 59: Line 84:
* ] * ]
* ] (Patteewarar Temple) * ] (Patteewarar Temple)
⚫ * ], Karaikudi

* ] (])
⚫ * ], (Karaikudi)
* Sankarankovil(Tenkasi)
* ] (Sri ] – Fourth largest temple car in Tamil Nadu) * ] (Sri ] – Fourth largest temple car in Tamil Nadu)
* ] (]) * ] (])
Line 84: Line 108:
* ] (Sivanthiappar Kovil) * ] (Sivanthiappar Kovil)
* ] * ]
* ]( Sri Cinthamani Nathar temple (arthanathiswarar temple) * ] (Sri Cinthamani Nathar temple (arthanathiswarar temple)
⚫ * ] (])


====Karnataka==== ====Karnataka====
* ] * ]

* ] (])

* ] * ]
* ] (Sri Mahabaleshwara Temple)
* ], ]
* ], (Stone Chariot built by Vijayanagara Kings * ] (Immovable stone chariot built by Vijayanagara Kings)
* ], ((Mahathobhara shri Parvathi-Parameshwra) Karinjeshwara Temple) * ]
* ] (Sri Mahabaleshwara Temple Gokarna) * ] (Shri Durga Parameshwari Temple)
* ] (])
⚫ * ], (Shri Durga Parameshwari Temple)
⚫ * ] (Shri Venkataraman temple)
* ]
⚫ * ] (])
* ] (Shree Venkataramana Temple) * ] (Shree Venkataramana Temple)
* Mulki (Shree Kalikamba Temple) * Mulki (Shree Kalikamba Temple)
* Mulki (Shri Bappanadu Temple) * Mulki (Shri Bappanadu Temple)
* ] (])
⚫ * ] (Shri Venkataraman temple)
* ]
* ], (Shri Maha Lingeshsara Temple) * ], (Shri Maha Lingeshsara Temple)
⚫ * ], ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
Line 120: Line 145:
====Others==== ====Others====


* ], (Aiyya Temple) * ] (Aiyya Temple)
* ] * ]

⚫ * ], (Nagarathaar Sri Thendayuthapani)


===Malaysia=== ===Malaysia===


* ], ] (Seri Maha Mariamman Temple Devasthanam) * ] (Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple)
* ] (Seri Maha Mariamman Temple Devasthanam)
⚫ * ] (Nagarathaar Sri Thendayuthapani)


* ], ] (Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple)
===Sri Lanka=== ===Sri Lanka===


* ], ] * ]
⚫ * ] (])

⚫ * ], ] (])


===Germany=== ===Germany===
* ], ] (Sri Kamadchi Ampal Temple) * ], ] (Sri Kamadchi Ampal Temple)


== List of temples/cities with golden cars == == List of places with golden Temple cars ==
=== Andhra Pradesh === === Andhra Pradesh ===
* Lord Shiva temple * Lord Shiva temple
* Narasimhaswami temple and tirumala Sri vari ratham * Narasimhaswami temple and tirumala Sri vari ratham
=== Karnataka === === Karnataka ===

* Sri Krishna matha, ]
* ] (Shri Mahabaleshwar temple)
* Shri Durga Parameshwari temple, ]
⚫ * ] (Shri Durga Parameshwari temple)
* Shri Mahabaleshwar temple, ]
* ] (])
* ], ]
* Konchady, ] (Mahalasa Narayani Temple)
* Mahalasa Narayani Temple, konchady, ]
* ] (Sri Krishna matha)

=== Puducherry === === Puducherry ===


Line 161: Line 186:
* Arulmigu Mundakakanniamman, ], ] * Arulmigu Mundakakanniamman, ], ]
* Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar, ], ] * Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar, ], ]
* Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy, ], ] * ], ] (])
* Arulmigu Eachanari Vinayagar, ] * ] (])
* Arulmigu Thandumariamman, ] * ] (])
* Arulmigu MeenakshiSundareswarar, ] * Arulmigu MeenakshiSundareswarar, ]
* Arulmigu Solaimalai Murugan, Pazhamudircholai, Alagarkovil ] * Arulmigu Solaimalai Murugan, Pazhamudircholai, Alagarkovil ]
Line 186: Line 211:
* Arulmigu Mahalinga Swamy Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur (SILVER CHARIOT) * Arulmigu Mahalinga Swamy Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur (SILVER CHARIOT)
* Arulmigu SankaraNarayanaswamy, ] * Arulmigu SankaraNarayanaswamy, ]
* Arulmigu Vanamamalai Perumal, ] * ] (Arulmigu ])
* Arulmigu Balamurugan, Raththinagiri * Arulmigu Balamurugan, Raththinagiri
* Arulmigu Mariamman, ] * Arulmigu Mariamman, ]
Line 200: Line 225:
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]


== References == == References ==

Latest revision as of 02:56, 10 September 2024

Vehicle carrying representation of Hindu god(s)

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Temple car" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Temple car procession during Thanjavur Chariot festival, Tamil Nadu.

Temple cars or Temple chariots are used to carry representations of Hindu deities around the streets of the temple on festival days. These chariots are generally manually pulled by the devotees of the deity.

As of 2004, Tamil Nadu had 515 wooden carts, 79 of which needed repairs. Annamalaiyar Temple, Tiruvannamalai, Chidambaram Natarajar Temple are among the temples that possess these huge wooden chariots for regular processions.

The Natarajar Temple celebrates the chariot festival twice a year; once in the summer (Aani Thirumanjanam, which takes place between June and July) and another in winter (Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai, which takes place between December and January). Lord Krishna of Udupi has five temple cars, namely Brahma ratha (the largest), Madya ratha (medium), kinyo (small), and the silver and gold rathas.

The size of the largest temple cars inspired the Anglo-Indian term Juggernaut (from Jagannath), signifying a tremendous, virtually unstoppable force or phenomenon.

History

Further information: Ratha Yatra
Tiruvadmarudur Temple chariot in 1913.
Stone temple car in the Vitthala Temple built during Vijayanagara Empire, India.

Temple cars are used during festivals called Ratha Yatra, a procession in a chariot accompanied by the public. It typically refers to a procession (journey) of deities, people dressed like deities, or simply religious saints and political leaders. The term appears in medieval texts of India such as the Puranas, which mention the Ratha Yatra of Surya (Sun god), of Devi (Mother goddess), and of Vishnu. These chariot journeys have elaborate celebrations where the individuals or the deities come out of a temple accompanied by the public journeying with them through the Ksetra (region, streets) to another temple or to the river or the sea. Sometimes the festivities include returning to the sacrosanctum of the temple.

Traveler Fa-Hien who visited India during 400 CE notes the way temple car festivals were celebrated in India.

The cities and towns of this country are the greatest of all in the Middle Kingdom . The inhabitants are rich and prosperous, and vie with one another in the practice of benevolence and righteousness. Every year on the eighth day of the second month they celebrate a procession of images. They make a four-wheeled car, and on it erect a structure of four storeys by means of bamboos tied together. This is supported by a king-post, with poles and lances slanting from it, and is rather more than twenty cubits high, having the shape of a tope. White and silk-like cloth of hair is wrapped all round it, which is then painted in various colours. They make figures of devas, with gold, silver, and lapis lazuli grandly blended and having silken streamers and canopies hung out over them. On the four sides are niches, with a Buddha seated in each, and a Bodhisattva standing in attendance on him. There may be twenty cars, all grand and imposing, but each one different from the others. On the day mentioned, the monks and laity within the borders all come together; they have singers and skillful musicians; they pay their devotion with flowers and incense. The Brahmans come and invite the Buddhas to enter the city. These do so in order, and remain two nights in it. All through the night they keep lamps burning, have skillful music, and present offerings. This is the practice in all the other kingdoms as well. The Heads of the Vaisya families in them establish in the cities houses for dispensing charity and medicines. All the poor and destitute in the country, orphans, widowers, and childless men, maimed people and cripples, and all who are diseased, go to those houses, and are provided with every kind of help, and doctors examine their diseases. They get the food and medicines which their cases require, and are made to feel at ease; and when they are better, they go away of themselves.

— Faxian, c. 415 CE

Early photographs and lithography of temple chariots

  • Vintage Temple chariot procession pictures
  • Someshwara Temple chariot in 1918. Someshwara Temple chariot in 1918.
  • Chariot procession in Madurai in 1872. Chariot procession in Madurai in 1872.
  • Banashankari Temple (Badami) chariot in 1855. Banashankari Temple (Badami) chariot in 1855.
  • Srirangam Temple chariot in the 1890s. Srirangam Temple chariot in the 1890s.
  • Juggernaut Car, Madras, 1850. Juggernaut Car, Madras, 1850.
  • Three temple cars outside the Hanuman Dhoka, or Old Palace, Kathmandu - Oldfield collection (1850-1863) Three temple cars outside the Hanuman Dhoka, or Old Palace, Kathmandu - Oldfield collection (1850-1863)
  • The Car of Juggernaut, as depicted in the 1851 Illustrated London Reading Book The Car of Juggernaut, as depicted in the 1851 Illustrated London Reading Book
  • Temple car in Bangalore, 1870 Temple car in Bangalore, 1870

Largest temple chariot

Asia's Largest Temple car "Aazhi Ther (Big Chariot)" in Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu.

The procession of the Asia's largest and greatest temple car of Thiruvarur Thiyagarajar Temple in Tamil Nadu features prominently in an ancient festival held in the town. The annual chariot festival of the Thygarajaswamy temple is celebrated during April – May, corresponding to the Tamil month of Chitrai. The chariot is the largest of its kind in Asia and India weighing 300 tons with a height of 90 feet. The chariot comes around the four main streets surrounding the temple during the festival. The event is attended by lakhs of people from all over Tamil Nadu.

The Aazhi Ther is the biggest temple chariot in Tamil Nadu. The 30-foot tall temple car, which originally weighed 220 tons, is raised to 96 feet with bamboo sticks and decorative clothes, taking its total weight to 350 tons. Mounted on the fully decorated temple car, the presiding deity – Lord Shiva – went around the four streets with the devotees pulling it using huge ropes. Two bulldozers were engaged to provide the required thrust so that devotees could move the chariot.

Gallery

  • Taladhwaja, Darpadalana and Nandighosha in 2021 Ratha Jatra, Odisha, India. Taladhwaja, Darpadalana and Nandighosha in 2021 Ratha Jatra, Odisha, India.
  • Temple festival in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. Temple festival in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • Tiruvarur temple car, the largest (chariot) temple car in the world, it weighing 300 tonnes (295 long tons; 331 short tons) with a height of 90 feet (27.43 m). Tiruvarur temple car, the largest (chariot) temple car in the world, it weighing 300 tonnes (295 long tons; 331 short tons) with a height of 90 feet (27.43 m).
  • Type of temple car called Theru from the Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani, Kerala Type of temple car called Theru from the Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani, Kerala
  • Type of temple car called Kuthira from the Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani, Kerala Type of temple car called Kuthira from the Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani, Kerala
  • Temple car (decorated), Udupi, Karnataka, India. Temple car (decorated), Udupi, Karnataka, India.
  • Bisket Jatra Chariot Bhaktapur, Nepal. Bisket Jatra Chariot Bhaktapur, Nepal.
  • Picture of Tirunelveli Nellaiappar Temple Golden car. Picture of Tirunelveli Nellaiappar Temple Golden car.
  • Picture of Alwarkurichi People pulling Sivasailanathaswamy Temple car. Picture of Alwarkurichi People pulling Sivasailanathaswamy Temple car.
  • Temple cars in front of Jagananth temple, 2021 Temple cars in front of Jagananth temple, 2021

List of places with traditional Temple cars

India

Tamil Nadu

Karnataka

Odisha

Kerala

Andhra Pradesh

Others

Malaysia

Sri Lanka

Germany

List of places with golden Temple cars

Andhra Pradesh

  • Lord Shiva temple
  • Narasimhaswami temple and tirumala Sri vari ratham

Karnataka

Puducherry

Tamil Nadu

  • Arulmigu Yoga Lakshmi Narasimar temple, Sholinghur, Ranipet district.
  • Arulmigu Vijayapuri Amman temple, Vijayamangalam,Erode

See also

References

  1. Rajarajan, R. K. K.; Rajukalidoss, Parthiban. "Nāyaka Chefs-d'oeuvre: Structure and Iconography of the Śrīvilliputtūr Tēr". Acta Orientalia.
  2. Rajarajan, R. K. K. "Iconographic Programme in Temple Cars: A Case Study of Kūṭal Alakar tēr". East and West, Istituto Italiano per l'Africa e l'Oriente (IsIAO), Rome.
  3. "Government of Tamil Nadu Welcomes You". tn.gov.in. Archived from the original on 19 December 2012.
  4. ^ Michaels; Cornelia Vogelsanger; Annette Wilke (1996). Wild Goddesses in India and Nepal: Proceedings of an International Symposium, Berne and Zurich, November 1994. P. Lang. pp. 270–285. ISBN 978-3-906756-04-2.
  5. Mandai, Paresh Chandra (2012). "Rathajatra". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  6. Fa-Hien (1875). "A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms (Chapter XXVII: Pataliputra or Patna, In Magadha)". gutenberg.org. Translated (published 415). Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. "Official Website of Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple,Tiruvarur - Festival". thiyagarajaswamytemple.tnhrce.in. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  8. "Festivals, Culture & Heritage | Tiruvarur District, Government of Tamil Nadu | India". Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  9. Kumar, K. Sambath (16 June 2016). "Car festival held at Tiruvarur Thyagaraja Swamy Temple after a gap of six years". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
Categories: