The temple chariot, symbolizes the physical aspect of the cosmos, carrying divinity in the inner sanctuary of the chariot, Like a temple Ratha is sanctified as it carries the festival idol of temple gods (utchavars) on it. The wooden base of the chariot is intricately carved with various images of deities in the Hindu pantheon as if the main gods are being accompanied by the sub gods and celestial on the holy journey.
The following temple Rathas are popular in Tamil Nadu:
Srirangam temple:
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| Chithirai temple car festival, Srirangam, TN. dailythanthi.com |
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| Srirangam temple car srirangaminfo.com |
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| Sirangam temple car wooden base.nativeplanet.com |
According to historians the Chithirai festival first began in 1383, and the therottam has been around since the time the town was recovered from the massive Muslim army from the Delhi Sultanate. The villagers contributed from their humble income toward construction of the new one to take Namperumal around the streets.
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Mahalingeswar temple, Thiruvidaimaruthur:
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| Mahalingeswarar temple, Thruvidaimaruthur, TN en.wikipedia.org |
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| Mahalingeswarar temple, Thruvidaimaruthur, TN en.wikipedia.org |
the 7th century Mahalingeswaraswamy Temple of Thiruvidaimarudur (now in Kumbakonam district) dedicated to God Shiva, is a popular one in this part. Here, the lord's consort is Mookambika. Built by various dynasties the temple is maintained and administered by Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, a South Indian monastic institution and there are amazing sculptures in the temple. Details are sketchy about the chariot festival. However, it is held once a year during the annual brahmotchavam.
Kumbeswarar temple Kumbakonam:
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| Kumbeswarar temple, Kumbakonamadhikumbeswarar.org |
Adi Kumbeswarar Temple of Kumbakonam in the prime place of the city is a popular one closely associated with the Mahamaham temple tank here. The temple has five chariots of various sizes and the car festival takes place as part of annual Maasimaham celebrations (February - March). Besides main deities, gods Subramaniam, Ganapathy and Chandikeswarar will be taken on the chariot as part of the religious procession.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Kumbeswarar_Temple,_Kumbakonam
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Lalgudi Saptharishieeswara temple:
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| indianetzone.com |
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| Lalgudi Shiva temple car. prabhuclicks.wordpress.com |
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| Lalgudi shivan temple car. prabhuclicks.wordpress.com |
Lalgudi, an important pilgrimage center, has a popular Shiva temple - Saptharishieeswara, believed to have been built by the Chola dynasty; here in the Tamil month of Panguni there will be a car festival and the deities will be taken around the Ratha Vedhis (streets) and the main temple chariot is a big one. There are excellent carvings on the wooden base. The temple has 5 chariots of different sizes.
https://www.indianetzone.com/65/lalgudi.html
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| Arudhra dharan, Chidambaram nataraja temple, TN. thehindu.com |
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| carved mythological images, Chidambaram temple car. in.pinterest.com/ |
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| Chdambaram Nataraja temple, TN chariot Shutterstock |
Above image: Sri Chidambaram Nataraja temple(10th CE) Wooden Chariot base decorated with beautifully carved sculptures depicting Lord Shiva's incarnation and related episodes...........
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Maha ratham, Tiruvannamalai, TN.
About the popular Maha Ratham (Periya Ther) of Arunachaleswara of Tiruvannamalai, TN, it was renovated and restored for the first time after 5 decades in November 2024 to get it ready for the Karthikai Deepam festival that began on the 4th of December. Renovation included rechecking of hydraulic break system under the guidance of BHEL and state govt engineers. The other 5 rathas called Pancha Rathas were also repaired Important parts of the Ratha were restored and redesigned including Devasthanam, decorative features like Yali, etc. The total cost of repairs, etc was about Rs. 70 lakhs.
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| Maha Ratham, Tiruvannamalai, TN. flicker.com |
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| Dwarapalas Maha Ratham, Tiruvannamalai, TN.flicker.com |
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| Maha Ratham, Tiruvannamalai, TN.flicker.com |
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| Tiruvannamalai (Shiva) temple, tamil nadu.breathedreamgo.com |
The special feature of this Maha Ratham that carries the main festival idol of god Shiva (representing Agni/Fire) is its charioteer who is god Brahma, yet another trinity god in- charge of creation.
https://www.navrangindia.in/2024/12/the-tiruvannamalai-maha-ratham-was.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nataraja_Temple,_Chidambaram
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