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| Brihadishwara temple, chariot, TN en.wikipedia.org |
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| Thanjavur temple Ther (chariot),image: Jambulingam wikipedia/commons |
The annual ‘Chithirai’ festival of Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple), also known as ''The Peruvudaiyar Kovil'' of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu is popular and the Therottam (Ratha yatra) is part of the grand festival.
This year, the Chithirai Brahmotsavam Peruvizha, 18-day long colorful festivities with various temple events, will start off with Kodiyetram (temple flag hoisting) on April 23, 2025. and culminates on May 10, 2025 with Dhwaja Avarohanam - Kodi Irakkam (downing of flag). The Therottam, main event which people at Thanjavur and its neighboring places, are anxiously awaiting, is scheduled to take place on May 7, 2025
The Therottam has taken place annually since 2015 after a long gap of more than 100 years. Records mention about the festival held in the 18th and 19th centuries. The 1776 C.E records mention the festival took place during the reign of the Maratha king Serfoji in 1813 CE.
For the children and devotees, nothing gives more pleasure and excitement than the sight of a huge tall well decorated chariot, a temple on the move, slowly bobbing and swaying down the street being pulled forward by thousands of men and women devotees with devotion preceded by Nadaswaram/Thavil groups and dancers.
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| Brihadishwara temple of Thanjavur,TN kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com |
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| Brihadishwara temple of Thanjavur,Tamil Nadu thehindubusinessline.com |
The Chariot festival or Rath yatra is an important long held tradition and culture associated with Hindu temples across India for centuries. Particularly, there are many famous ther festivals and menton may be made of Thyagaraja temple of Thiruvarur (the largest and heaviest Chariot in India), Madurai Meenakshi temple and Andal temple, Srivilliputhur, etc of Tamil Nadu.
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| Jagannath Rath Yatra, Puri, Odisha, etvbharat.com/en |
Across India, the most famous one is the annual Jagannath temple''Rath Yatra''of Puri, held in June-July, Odisha. The deities of Jagannath, (Vishnu), his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra are taken on a symbolic journey in three different massive, wooden chariots (made afresh every year) to Gundicha Temple, and then return to the main temple after a week.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanjavur_Chariot_festival
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