The use of Chariot for carrying the Utsava idol in the form of procession through the road i.e. Ratha Yatra was not confined to the Hindus and Buddhists only. Even the Jains used to celebrate Ratha Yatra, or at least the image of Mahavir or Parsvanath used to be carried on chariot through the streets for public view.4 This custom still prevails in some parts of India.
In the Artha-Sastra of Kautilya (4th Century B.C.), we get a reference of the Superintendent of Chariots. "He (Supdt. of Chariots) shall also construct Chariots of gods (deva rama), festival chariots (pushya ratha) chariots for warfare, (Sahgramika), Travelling Chariots (Pariyanika), Chariots used in assailing an enemy's stronghold (Para-Purabhiyanika) and training chariots etc.
During festival procession the Chariot was also prevalent at the time of Maurya Ashoka - as referred to in his Gimar, Sahabaj Gari and Kalsi Inscriptions.
Even Ratha Yatra celebrations by the Jain communities at Ujjain with pomp and glory as referred to by poet Hema Chandra Suri - in his book Parisistaparva - edited by Dr. Hermann Jacobi - are also worth mentioning.
Thus from the above descriptions and specially from the writ¬ings of Herria Chandra it becomes clear that Ratha Yatra celebrated both by the Jains and Hindus had marked similarities. In ancient Indian society use of chariot by each and every community was prevalent and while celebrating the religious/social processions or rites people used to perform songs, musical instruments in front of chariots and usual halts in different intervals in strategic points on road for a while for allowing people for darshan or adoration etc. Thus Ratha Yatra or use of Ratha with traditional gaiety during festivals by the people of different religious faiths was a common phenomenon and was part and parcel of the Indian Society.
In the Ajanta paintings also we get the picture of chariot in a scene from Visvantara Jataka, Cave-XVII-5th Century A.D. Even in 7th Century A.D. from the life of king HarsaVardhan we get the reference of using chariot while procession was taken in honour of Hu-ien-Tsang who became victorious in the assembly at Kanauj in 643 A.D. A golden image of Buddha 3 feet high was carried in a procession everyday and the king himself used to carry the canopy holding overthe golden image of Buddha.
Even in South mdia the carrying of Utsava Murty or Bhogamurty on chariot is a popular practice. The Ratha Yatra or Car Festival of Tiruvada Marudur in Tanjore Dist, under Kumbhakanam Tahasil is worth mentioning in the month of January in connection with the 'PUSHANG' festival. I he Ratha Yatra of Tiruvada Marudur is celebrated for ! 0 Jays. The chariots are drawn through road. The four wooden horses of very naturalistic look used to be fixed in front signifying to be drawn by four horses. The huge Ratha or Car is drawn by over seven or eight thousand people. The length of the rope is about 13 to 14 hundred feet of 5 inches diameter. Before the actual drawal is taken up usual pooja and burning of camphor etc. is done, coconuts are placed before the wheels for breaking, believed to be an auspicious act on the part of the pilgrims. The top part of the Ratha too dazzles as it is covered with multi-coloured clothes and banners to make it more attractive. Even a group of musicians and drummers and flutists do perform traditional music using popular musical instruments.
The lithic representation of a four-wheeled chariot carved out of granite, existing in front of the Vitthala temple datable to circa 15th Century A.D. of the Vijayanagara period of Hampi speaks of its popularity in Karnataka.
Mention may be made of the huge chariot temple of Surya at Konark which is a marvel and wonder of the world. The Gahga artisans of 13th Century A.D. constructed this huge world famous-monument under the patronage of King Narasimha Deva-I, the great grandson of Codagahga having 12 pairs of giant wheels drawn by 7 lively horses. In Orissa the car festival of Lord Lihgaraj is celebrated every year in the month of Caitra on the Asokastami day. The celebration of car festival by the Saktas in honour of Goddess MahesvarT (Durga) is prevalent in Sakta Tantra. Even in Jajpur the Ratha Yatra is celebrated by the devotees of Devi Viraja.
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