Puri: Even as thousands of devotees gather congregated in Odisha’s Puri to witness the grand car festival, another Rath Yatra has quietly captured hearts because of its unique shape and size.
Barely five inches tall, these chariots have been handcrafted by noted miniature artist L Eswar Rao of Jatani in Khordha district. Using delicate areca nut leaves (Supari),
It took seven days for Rao to create the tiny replicas, each carrying intricately carved neem-wood idols of the Holy Trinity measuring less than an inch in height. The artist has drawn attention with his eco-friendly miniature chariots, just five inches tall, crafted entirely by hand.
The craftsmanship reflects an enduring truth of the Jagannath tradition, devotion is measured not in scale, but in sincerity.
Each chariot carries intricately carved idols of the Holy Trinity made from neem wood, with Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra measuring less than an inch in height.
The miniature work highlights sustainable art and devotion. Areca palm leaves for the structure of the chariots, while neem wood, traditionally associated with the deities, was used for the idols.
Stressing that devotion is not about size, Rao said he crafted these three chariots using areca palm leaves; they stand five inches tall. “I have carved the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, each just one inch tall, out of Neem wood. It took me seven days to complete these three chariots,” he said.
The nine-day Rath Yatra festival will include Hera Panchami on July 20, Bahuda Yatra on July 24, Suna Besha on July 25, and conclude with Niladri Bije on July 27, when the deities ceremonially return to the sanctum sanctorum of Shree Jagannath Temple in the pilgrim town of Puri.
