Unique Deities of the Rathas of ShreeJagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra

Parswadevatas ( Peripheral Divinities) of the Rathas (Chariots) of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra

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Mahaprabhu Jagannath,  Balabhadra and their sister Devi Subhadra travel in three unique chariots during the Rathyatra ( or the festival of chariots).  Their chariots are named Nandighosha( Lord Jagannath’s chariot), Taladhwaja( Lord Balabhadra’s chariot) and Darpadalana( Goddess Subhadra’s chariot) separately.Each and every part of these ‘Rathas’ ( Chariots) is carved , planned, designed and executed with the collective effort of a large number of carpenters, metalsmiths, artisans, tailors and painters.Each chariot contains nine peripheral divinities (Parswadevatas), two entryway attendants (Dwarapalas Jay & Vijay), one Charioteer (Sarathi) and one divinity for the top flag/ banner (Dhwaja Devata), all made of wood.Rupakara carpenters carve out images and shapes of different Parswadevatas in wood for enlivening the chariots.These Parswadevatas remain as such for next successive Rathyatras. They are only repainted and reinstalled at their respective places in different Rathas during the time of next year Rathyatra. Each of them take birth with the three Sibling Deities at the time of Nabakalevar and subsequently buried along with the three Sibling Deities in the Tulasi chaura.

PARSWADEVATAS OF NANDIGHOSH RATHA

Here is a list of different peripheral deities (better known as Parswadevatas ) of Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s Nandighosh Ratha .

1. Panchamukhi Mahabir

2. Harihara

3. Madhusudana

4. Giri Goverdhan dhari

5. Pandu Narasingha

6. Chitamani Krishna

7. Narayana

8. Chatra Bhanga Rabana

9. Rama & Hanuman

Photos have been appended in the given order.

Panchamukhi Mahabir

HariHara

Madhusudana

Giri Goverdhan dhari

Pandu Narasingha

Chitamani Krishna

Narayana

Chatra Bhanga Rabana

Rama & Hanuman

I.S. Durgamadhab Mohanty

PARSWADEVATAS OF TALADHWAJA RATHA

Here is a list of different peripheral deities (better known as Parswadevatas ) of the Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja Ratha .

1.Baisi Bhuja(22-hands) Nrusingha

2.Pralambaari

3.Gajaantaaka

4.Lakshmana and Angada

5.Kartikeya

6.Sankarshana/Basudeba

7.Naatambara Mahadeba

8.Dancing Ganesha

9.Balarama

Photos have been appended in the given order.

Baisi bhuja Nrusingha 

Pralambari

Gajantaka

Lakshmana and Angada

Kartikeya

Sankarshana/Basudeba

Naatambara Mahadeba

Nrutyarata Ganesh 

Balaram 

I.S. Durgamadhab Mohanty

PARSWADEVATAS OF DARPADALAN RATHA

Here is a list of nine different peripheral deities (better known as Parswadevatas ) of the Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalan Ratha,They are

1. Bimala

2.Banadurga

3.Varahi

4.Chamunda

5.Bhuvaneswari

6.Harachandi

7.Jayadurga

8. Sarbamangala

9.Ugratara

Photos have been appended in the given order. 

Maa Bimala

Maa Banadurga

Maa Varahi

Maa Chamunda

Maa Bhubaneswari

Maa Harachandi

Maa Jayadurga

Maa Sarbamangala

Maa Ugratara 

I.S. Durgamadhab Mohanty

For an all inclusive detailed understanding regarding the construction of Rathas of our three Sibling Deities, you may go through the following article.

Amazing Facts About ‘Rathas’ of ShreeJagannath

Dr. Manoj Mishra

lunarsecstasy@gmail.com