Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara ''Maha Ratham'' (Periya Ther), Tamil Nadu

Wheeled  temple Ratha or Chariot, India. png.pngtree.com

According to the Vedas the temple chariot, a vehicle of fortune has its origin not only in numerous hymns and great epics, but also from the awe-inspiring picture-perfect stone chariots of the Vijaya Vittala temple at Hampi, Karnataka, shore temple of Mahabalipuram near Chennai built by the Pallavas, Airavateswarer temple of Darasuram near Kumbakonam, etc In the latter a fine stone chariot is carved on the wall of the temple.    

Temple Rathas or chariots play a vital role during the major temple festivals across India and in particular, Tamil Nadu where there are more more than 500 wooden chariots out of which roughly 80 or so still remain uncared for. One being the amazing chariot of Ayodhyapatinam Sri Ramar temple, near Salem city, TN. 

Airavateswara temple, Kumbakonam, TN. i.pinimg.com

Above image Airavateswara temple, Darasuram near Kumbakonam,TN. A  UNESCO World heritage site. Sone carved Ratha........ 

The temple ratha almost follows the configuration of the temple architecture, the main deity being at the center of the inner sanctuary of the Ratha with accompanying deities or sub-deities or ganas, including dwarapalas (armed guards of the main deity) as one finds in the Hindu temples. 

About the wood base of the chariot one can see themes from various episodes of the epics Mahabharata or Ramayana. These intricately carved figurines are replete with details of jewelry, garments, hair-style, and architectural motif.

Wooden base Maha Ratham, Tiruvannamalai, TN. flicker.com

Wooden base Maha ratham, Tiruvannamalai, TN. flicker.com

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.  

Maha Ratham, Tiruvannamalai, TN. flicker.com

Dwarapalas Maha Ratham, Tiruvannamalai, TN.flicker.com

Maha Ratham, Tiruvannamalai, TN.flicker.com

Above image: Tiruvannamalai Periya Ther (weight 200 tons, height 59ft including canopy) is not a heavy one like Azhi Ther of Tiruvarur, Ratha of Andal temple, Srivilliputhur or that of Madurai Meenakshmi Amman temple. However, it is provided with hydraulic braking system for extra safety because it attracts lots of devotees. It is taken out only during the Karthigai Deepam festival Therottam ...... 

Tiruvannamalai (Shiva)  temple, tamil nadu.breathedreamgo.com

Devotees were quite pleased that the renovated Maha Ratham had a trial run on the 8th of November and properly road-tested. 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://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-chariot-a-fabled-vehicle-the-sandeep-gitanjali-maini-foundation/WQWhfCYZx-k1ug?hl=

https://www.hindutamil.in/news/spirituals/1337287-tiruvannamalai-annamalaiyar-temple-victory-of-maha-ratham-vellotam-1.html