Temple car: Difference between revisions

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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2017}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2017}}
[[File:The Stone Chariot,Hampi.jpg|thumb|upright 1.0|Stone temple car in the Vitthala Temple at [[Hampi]], India.]]
[[File:28apr1.jpg|thumb|Temple car procession during Thanjavur Chariot festival, Tamil Nadu.]]
'''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 [[Hindu deities]] 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 [[Hindu gods]] around the streets of the temple on festival days. These chariots are generally manually pulled by the devotees of the deity.
As of 2004, the [[India|Indian]] state [[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> [[Annamalaiyar Temple]], [[Tiruvannamalai]], [[Chidambaram]] Natarajar Temple are among the temples that possess these huge wooden chariots for regular processions.
 
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> [[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 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.
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The size of the largest temple cars inspired the [[List of English words of Hindi or Urdu origin|Anglo-Indian]] term [[Juggernaut]] (from [[Jagannath]]), signifying a tremendous, virtually unstoppable force or phenomenon.
The size of the largest temple cars inspired the [[List of English words of Hindi or Urdu origin|Anglo-Indian]] term [[Juggernaut]] (from [[Jagannath]]), signifying a tremendous, virtually unstoppable force or phenomenon.


==Earliest pictures of Temple chariots==
==History==
{{Further information|Ratha Yatra}}
[[File:15Tiruvadmarudur Processional Car.jpg|thumb|Tiruvadmarudur Temple chariot in 1913.]]
[[File:Stone Chariot Vittala Temple.jpg|thumb|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.<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 [[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.<ref name="Michaels1996p270"/><ref name="Banglapedia">{{cite book|last=Mandai|first=Paresh Chandra|title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh|publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]|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 [[Faxian|Fa-Hien]] who visited India during 400 CE notes the way temple car festivals were celebrated in India.
 
{{Quote|The cities and towns of this country [Magadha] are the greatest of all in the Middle Kingdom [Mathura through Deccan]. 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>}}
 
==Early photographs and lithography of temple chariots==
<gallery mode="packed" heights=220px style="text-align:left" caption="Vintage Temple chariot procession pictures">
<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:Ratha Jatra optocht met versierde wagens ter ere van Jagannath in Madurai, RP-F-F80205.jpg|Chariot procession in Madurai in 1872.
File:15Tiruvadmarudur Processional Car.jpg|Tiruvadmarudur Temple chariot in 1913.
File:Car Procession In Bangalore.jpg|Someshwara Temple chariot in 1918.
</gallery>
<gallery mode="packed" heights=220px style="text-align:left" caption="Vintage Temple chariot pictures">
File:Banashankari Car.jpg|Banashankari Temple (Badami) chariot in 1855.
File:Banashankari Car.jpg|Banashankari Temple (Badami) chariot in 1855.
File:Kurt boeck indien nepal 076B.jpg|Srirangam Temple chariot in the 1890s.
File:Kurt boeck indien nepal 076B.jpg|Srirangam Temple chariot in the 1890s.
File:Srivilliputtur andal temple car in 1940.jpg|Srivilliputtur Temple chariot in 1930.
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>


</gallery>
==Largest temple chariot==
==Largest temple chariot==
[[File:Thiruvarur Ther.png|thumb|Asia's Largest Temple car "Aazhi Ther (Big Chariot)" in [[Thiruvarur]], [[Tamil Nadu]].]]
[[File:Thiruvarur Ther.png|thumb|Asia's Largest Temple car "Aazhi Ther (Big Chariot)" in [[Thiruvarur]], [[Tamil Nadu]].]]
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== 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">
Temple Chariot in Bannur.jpg|Temple chariot in Bannur, Mysore.
File:Taladhwaja, Darpadalana and Nandighosha in 2021 Ratha Jatra.jpg|Taladhwaja, Darpadalana and Nandighosha in 2021 Ratha Jatra, Odisha, India.
House of Temple car (chariot).jpg|House of [[Jaffna]] temple car at [[Nallur Kandaswamy temple]], [[Northern Province, Sri Lanka]], where temple car preserves or rests during non-function.
File:Chidambaram festival.jpg|Temple festival in [[Chidambaram]], Tamil Nadu, India.
Tiruvarur temple car festival 2010.jpg|[[Tiruvarur]] 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|[[Tiruvarur]] 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 [[Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani]], [[Kerala]]
Theru.JPG|Type of temple car called ''Theru'' from the [[Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani]], [[Kerala]]
Kuthira.JPG|Type of temple car called ''Kuthira'' from the [[Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani]], [[Kerala]]
Kuthira.JPG|Type of temple car called ''Kuthira'' from the [[Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani]], [[Kerala]]
Decorated chariot, Udupi, India.jpg|Temple car (decorated), [[Udupi]], Karnataka, [[India]].
Decorated chariot, Udupi, India.jpg|Temple car (decorated), [[Udupi]], Karnataka, [[India]].
Srivilliputtur andal temple car in 1940.jpg|[[Srivilliputtur]] Andal Temple car which was idle 18 years up to 1974 – 2nd largest Temple Car in Tamil Nadu.
File:Bisket Jatra Chariot Bhaktapur.jpg|Bisket Jatra Chariot Bhaktapur, Nepal.
Nellaiappar Temple Golden Car Nov 2 2009.jpg|Picture of [[Tirunelveli]] Nellaiappar Temple Golden car.  
Nellaiappar Temple Golden Car Nov 2 2009.jpg|Picture of [[Tirunelveli]] Nellaiappar Temple Golden car.  
தேர்.jpg|Picture of [[Alwarkurichi]] People pulling Sivasailanathaswamy Temple car.
தேர்.jpg|Picture of [[Alwarkurichi]] People pulling Sivasailanathaswamy Temple car.
Temple car.jpg|Temple car in [[Chennai]], [[India]].
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
</gallery>
</gallery>


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====Tamil Nadu====
====Tamil Nadu====


* [[Alagar Kovil]] (Kallazhagar Temple)
* [[Alwarkurichi]], Tenkasi  
* [[Alwarkurichi]], Tenkasi  
* [[Aragalur]]
* [[Aragalur]]
* [[Avinashi]] (Sri Avanashiappar Temple)
* [[Avinashi]] (Sri Avanashiappar Temple)
* [[Bhavani Sangameswarar Temple|Bhavani Kooduthoorai]], [[Tamil Nadu]] (4 chariots)
* [[Bhavani Sangameswarar Temple|Bhavani Kooduthoorai]], [[Tamil Nadu]] (4 chariots)
* [[Coimbatore]], [[Tamil Nadu]] (Koniamman Temple)
* [[Coimbatore]] (Koniamman Temple)
* [[Chidambaram]], [[Tamil Nadu]] (Nataraja Temple)
* [[Chidambaram]] (Nataraja Temple)
* [[Dindigul]] (Abiramiyamman Kovil)
* [[Dindigul]] (Abiramiyamman Kovil)
* [[Denkanikottai]]  (Betarayaswamy Kovil)
* [[Denkanikottai]]  (Betarayaswamy Kovil)
* [[Erode]] ([[Chennimalai]], Sivagiri, Sivanmalai)
* [[Erode]] ([[Chennimalai]], Sivagiri, Sivanmalai, [[Vijayamangalam]])
* [[Gobichettipalayam]] (Sri Kondathukalaimman Temple, Sri Balamurugan Temple and others)
* [[Gobichettipalayam]] (Sri Kondathukalaimman Temple, Sri Balamurugan Temple and others)
* [[Hosur]] (Chandra Choodeswarar Temple)
* [[Kadayanallur]]
* [[Kadayanallur]]
* [[Kalaiyar Kovil]] (Swarna Kaleeswarar Temple)
* [[Kallal Town]] (Somasundareswarer Kovil)
* [[Kallal Town]] (Somasundareswarer Kovil)
* [[Kanchipuram]] ([[Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram|Varadharaja Perumal Temple]], [[Ekambareswarar Temple (Kanchipuram)|Ekambareswarar Temple]] and others)
* [[Kanchipuram]] (Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple  and others)
* [https://goo.gl/maps/Ccm4Ax62VSt96gfm7 Karuvalur] (Shri Mariamman Kovil)
* [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Shri+karuvalur+Mariyamman+Temple,karuvalur/@11.2092286,77.1837294,16z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x3ba8fd64adee6081:0xd5bd7602e7c1fbee!8m2!3d11.2104588!4d77.1905395 Karuvalur] (Shri Mariamman Kovil)
* [[Karamadai]] ([[Ranganathaswamy temple, Karamadai|Ranganathaswamy temple]])
* [[Karamadai]] (Ranganathaswamy temple)
* [[Kumbakonam]] (Sri Saarangapani Temple and others)
* [[Kumbakonam]] (Sri Saarangapani Temple, Adi Kumbeswarar Temple and others)
* [[Lalgudi]] ([[Saptharishishwarar Temple, Lalgudi|Saptharishishwarar Temple]])
* [[Lalgudi]] (Saptharishishwarar Temple, Lalgudi)
* [[Madurai]] (Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple and others)
* [[Madurai]] (Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple and others)
* [[Mannargudi]] (Sri vidhya Rajagopalaswamy temple)
* [[Mannargudi]] (Sri vidhya Rajagopalaswamy temple)
* [[Minjur]] (Sri Ekambaranatha temple)
* [[Minjur]] (Sri Ekambaranathar temple)
* [[Mylapore]], [[Chennai]] (Kapaleeshwarar Temple)
* [[Mylapore]], [[Chennai]] (Sri Kapaleeshwarar Temple)
* [[Nanguneri]] (Vanamamalai Perumal Temple)
* [[Athur, Thoothukudi|North Authoor]] (Sri Somanathar Somasundari Temple)
* [[Athur, Thoothukudi|North Authoor]] (Sri Somanathar Somasundari Temple)
* [[Palani]]
* [[Palani]] (Sri Dhandayudhapani Temple)
* [[Perur]] (Patteewarar Temple)
* [[Perur]] (Sri Patteewarar Temple)
* [[Karpaka Vinayakar Temple|Pillaiyarpatti]] (Sri Karpaga Vinayagar Temple)
* [[Rameswaram]] (Ramanathaswamy Temple)
* [[Sakkottai]], Karaikudi
* [[Sakkottai]], Karaikudi
* [[Sankarankovil]] ([[Sankara Narayanasamy Temple, Sankarankovil|Sankara Narayanasamy Temple]])
* [[Mariamman Temple, Samayapuram|Samayapuram]] (Maariamman Temple)
* [[Srivaikuntam]] (Sri [[Srivaikuntanathan Permual Temple]] – Fourth largest temple car in Tamil Nadu)
* [[Sankarankovil]] (Sankara Narayanasamy Temple)
* [[Suchindram]] ([[Thanumalayan Temple]])
* [[Srivaikuntam]] (Srivaikuntanathan Permual Temple) – (Fourth largest temple car in Tamil Nadu)
* [[Srivilliputtur]] (Sri [[Srivilliputhur Andal temple|Andal Temple]] - Second largest temple car in Tamil Nadu)
* [[Suchindram]] (Thanumalayan Temple)
* [[Srivilliputtur]] (Srivilliputhur Andal Temple) - (Second largest temple car in Tamil Nadu)
* [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]] ([[Elampillai]], Aranagalur, [[Rasipuram]])
* [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]] ([[Elampillai]], Aranagalur, [[Rasipuram]])
* Sholinghur Sri Lakshmi Narasimha  Swamy temple,Sholinghur.
* [[Sholinghur]] (Sri Lakshmi Narasimha  Swamy Temple)
* [[Srimushnam]] ([[Bhu Varaha Swamy temple|Boovaraha Swami temple]] - Second largest temple car in [[Tamilnadu]]{{citation needed|date=April 2023}})
* [[Srimushnam]] (Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple) - Second largest temple car in [[Tamilnadu]]{{citation needed|date=April 2023}})
* [[Tiruchendur]] ([[Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur|Sri Subramanya Swami temple]])
* [[Srirangam]] (Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple)
* [[Thirupathiripuliyur]], Cuddalore ([[Pataleeswarar_Temple,_Cuddalore|Padaleeswarar temple]])
* [[Tenkasi]] (Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Tenkasi)
* Thiruvanthipuram, Cuddalore District ([[Devanathaswamy temple]])
* [[Tiruchendur]] (Sri Subramanya Swami temple)
* [[Tirunelveli]] (Sri [[Nellaiappar Temple]] – Third largest temple car in Tamil Nadu)
* [[Tiruchirappalli]] (Thayumanavar Temple)
* [[Tiruchengode]] (Sri Arthanareeswarar Temple - Fourth largest temple car in Tamil Nadu)  
* [[Thanjavur]] (Brihadeeswara Temple)
* [[Tiruvannamalai]] (Annamalaiyar, unnamulai amman temple, 5 Chariots)
* [[Thirukkadaiyur]] (Amritaghateswarar-Abirami Temple)
* [[Thirukkurungudi]] (Thirukkurungudi Vaishnava Nambi Temple)
* [[Thirukoshtiyur]] (Sri Sowmiya Narayana Perumal Temple)
* [[Thirunageswaram]] (Oppiliappan Temple)
* [[Thirunallar]] (Dharbaranyeswarar Temple)
* [[Thiruparankundram]] (Subramaniya Swamy Temple)
* [[Thirupathiripuliyur]] (Padaleeswarar temple)
* [[Thiruthangal]] (Ninra Narayana Perumal Temple)
* [[Thiruvanaikaval]] (Jambukeswarar Temple)
* [[Thiruvanthipuram]], (Devanathaswamy temple)
* [[Thiruvarur]] (Thiyagarajar Temple) - (First largest temple car in Asia){{citation needed|date=April 2023}}
* [[Tirunelveli]] (Sri Nellaiappar Temple) – (Third largest temple car in Tamil Nadu)
* [[Tiruchengode]] (Sri Arthanareeswarar Temple) - (Fourth largest temple car in Tamil Nadu)  
* [[Tiruvannamalai]] (Annamalaiyar Temple, 5 Chariots)
* [[Tirupattur]] (Aruilmigu Muthukumara Swamy Thirukkovil, God Shiva chariot)
* [[Tirupattur]] (Aruilmigu Muthukumara Swamy Thirukkovil, God Shiva chariot)
* [[Thirthahalli]]
* [[Thirthahalli]]
* [[Tiruvallur]]
* [[Tiruvallur]] (Veeraraghava Swamy Temple)
* [[Tiruvidaimarudur]] (Mahalinga Swamy) Schariots
* [[Tiruvidaimarudur]] (Mahalinga Swamy Temple) Chariots
* [[Triplicane]], [[Chennai]] (Sri Parthasarathy Temple)
* [[Thungapuram]] (Ariyalur-Perambalur)
* [[Thungapuram]] (Ariyalur-Perambalur)
* [[Thiruvarur]] (Thiyagarajar Temple - First largest temple car in Asia){{citation needed|date=April 2023}}
* [[Vaitheeswaran Koil]] (vaidyanatha Swamy Temple)
* [[Thiruthangal]] (Perumal Kovil)
* [[Vedaranyam]] (Vedaranyeswarar Temple)
* [[Thirukoshtiyur]] (Sri Sowmiya Narayana Perumal Kovil)
* [[Vikramasingapuram|Vickramasingapuram]] (Sivanthiappar Kovil)
* [[Vikramasingapuram|Vickramasingapuram]] (Sivanthiappar Kovil)
* [[Virudhunagar]]
* [[Virudhunagar]]
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* [[Suratkal]]
* [[Suratkal]]
* [[Udupi]]
* [[Udupi]]
* Idagunji (Mahaganapathi Temple)


====Odisha====
====Odisha====
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====Kerala====
====Kerala====
* [[Chettikulangara]], ([[Chettikulangara Devi Temple]])
* [[Chettikulangara]] ([[Chettikulangara Devi Temple]])
* [[Cherai]]
* [[Cherai]]
* [[Palakkad]], [[Kerala]] (Many temples in settlements of Palakkad)
* [[Palakkad]], [[Kerala]] (Many temples in settlements of Palakkad)
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* [[Kadiri]] (Sri Khadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple)
* [[Kadiri]] (Sri Khadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple)
* [[Koduru, Krishna district|Koduru]]
* [[Koduru, Krishna district|Koduru]]
* [[Mangalagiri]] (Sri Panakaala Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple)
* [[Srikalahasti]] (Sri Kalahastheeswara Temple)
* [[Tirumala]] (Sri Venkateshwara Temple)
*(Sri Bala Tripura sundare sametha sangamesara swami temple sangam jagarala mudi)
====Others====
====Others====


Line 142: Line 176:


* [[George Town, Penang|George Town]] (Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple)
* [[George Town, Penang|George Town]] (Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple)
* [[Kuala lumpur]] (Seri Maha Mariamman Temple Devasthanam)
* [[Kuala Lumpur]] (Seri Maha Mariamman Temple Devasthanam)
* [[Teluk Intan]] (Nagarathaar Sri Thendayuthapani)
* [[Teluk Intan]] (Nagarathaar Sri Thendayuthapani
* [[Bukit Mertajam penang]] (Shri Maha Mangalanayagi Amman Devasthanam, Bukit Mertajam)


===Sri Lanka===
===Sri Lanka===
Line 151: Line 186:


===Germany===
===Germany===
* [[Hamm]], [[Germany]] (Sri Kamadchi Ampal Temple)
* [[Hamm, North Rhine-Westphalia|Hamm]], [[Germany]] (Sri Kamadchi Ampal Temple)


== List of places with golden Temple cars ==
== List of places with golden Temple cars ==
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* [[Ratha]]
* [[Ratha]]
* [[Carroccio]]
* [[Carroccio]]
* [[Carriage#Types of horse-drawn carriages|Types of carriages]]
* [[Carriage]]


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 14:22, 6 March 2026


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Temple car procession during Thanjavur Chariot festival, Tamil Nadu.

Temple cars[1][2] 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, the Indian state Tamil Nadu had 515 wooden carts, 79 of which needed repairs.[3] 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[edit | edit source]

Further information: Ratha Yatra
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Tiruvadmarudur Temple chariot in 1913.
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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.[4] 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.[4][5]

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 [Magadha] are the greatest of all in the Middle Kingdom [Mathura through Deccan]. 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[6]

Early photographs and lithography of temple chariots[edit | edit source]

Largest temple chariot[edit | edit source]

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.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9]

Gallery[edit | edit source]

List of places with traditional Temple cars[edit | edit source]

India[edit | edit source]

Tamil Nadu[edit | edit source]

Karnataka[edit | edit source]

Odisha[edit | edit source]

Kerala[edit | edit source]

Andhra Pradesh[edit | edit source]

  • Kadiri (Sri Khadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple)
  • Koduru
  • Mangalagiri (Sri Panakaala Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple)
  • Srikalahasti (Sri Kalahastheeswara Temple)
  • Tirumala (Sri Venkateshwara Temple)
  • (Sri Bala Tripura sundare sametha sangamesara swami temple sangam jagarala mudi)

Others[edit | edit source]

Malaysia[edit | edit source]

Sri Lanka[edit | edit source]

Germany[edit | edit source]

List of places with golden Temple cars[edit | edit source]

Andhra Pradesh[edit | edit source]

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

Karnataka[edit | edit source]

Puducherry[edit | edit source]

Tamil Nadu[edit | edit source]

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

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 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.[permanent dead link]
  6. ↑ Fa-Hien (1875). "A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms (Chapter XXVII: Pataliputra or Patna, In Magadha)". gutenberg.org. Translated (published 415). Error creating thumbnail: File missing 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.
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