The three magnificent chariots of the Jagannath Temple are built anew every year and each has its own name, symbolism, colors, horses, and charioteer.
1. Taladhwaja – Lord Balabhadra
Meaning: "The Palm Tree Banner"
Appears first in the procession.
Height: About 45 feet
Wheels: 14
Canopy colors: Green and red
Horses: Four black horses
Charioteer: Matali
2. Darpadalana (also called Devadalana) – Goddess Subhadra
Meaning: "Destroyer of Pride"
Appears second.
Height: About 44½ feet
Wheels: 12
Canopy colors: Black and red
Horses: Four red horses
Charioteer: Arjuna
3. Nandighosha – Lord Jagannath
Meaning: "The Chariot of Bliss" or "The Joyous Roar"
Appears last, although Jagannath is the principal deity.
Height: About 45½ feet
Wheels: 16
Canopy colors: Yellow and red
Horses: Four white horses
Charioteer: Daruka
Why this order?
The sequence is deeply symbolic:
Balabhadra represents strength, stability, and dharma. He leads the way.
Subhadra represents compassion, harmony, and the Divine Mother, following her elder brother.
Jagannath follows last, as the Lord who lovingly comes behind all beings, allowing everyone to come to Him without distinction.
The day's sequence
The deities are ceremonially brought out from the temple in the grand Pahandi procession.
The Gajapati King performs the famous Chhera Pahanra, sweeping the chariots with a golden broom, demonstrating that before the Lord, even a king is a servant.
Devotees pull the chariots along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) toward the Gundicha Temple.
The deities remain at Gundicha Temple for several days before returning during the Bahuda Yatra.
The Ratha Yatra beautifully reminds us that strength leads, compassion accompanies, and God follows every soul with infinite love, inviting everyone onto the path of dharma.
Jagannatha
Balabadra.


