The ethnic art of Patachitra germinated from a ritual observedin the Jagannath temple of Puri, Orissa, a state in Eastern India. Patachitras are handmade paintings executed on treated pieces of cloth or impressed on stitched palm leaves (Talapatachitra). The most frequently depicted theme involves the holy Triad of the Jagannath Temple – Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. This particular Talapatachitra follows tradition in depicting the Jagannath Temple Deities in ‘bada-singhara vesha’. During the various ritualistic activities in the temple, Lord Jagannath and his siblings are dressed in various costumes and jewelries (‘Veshas’). The most elaborate of them all is the ‘bada-singhara vesha’ – an attire given to the deities before they are put to bed. In this dress, the three deities wear silk cloths on which the text of the Gita Govinda (a poem cycle by the medieval poet Jayadeva that celebrates the love of Krishna and Radha) is written. They are also garlanded with flowers. This is the vesha most commonly depicted by the chitrakaras. In this painting, Balabhadra is shown with a white face, oval-shaped eyes, stump arms just below eye level, and a snake's head on top of his own head. Balabhadra, according to legends, is identified with Lord Krishna’s sibling Balarama, who himself is identified with the snake god Ananta; hence the iconography of the snake's head. Subhadra is carved with a yellow face, oval-shaped eyes, and she has no arms. Jagannath has a black face, prominent round eyes, and stump arms just below eye level. The characteristic details of lines and colors can be observed in this Talapatachitra. Earthen colors of red, green, yellow and white have been used within a leafy fringe.Sri Jagannath (Lord of the World) is an 'Avatar' or incarnation of Lord Vishnu,the second in the Holy Hindu Trinity of Gods (Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar). The Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa, is dedicated to Him. It is one of the four Holy 'Dhamas' (holy seats) of India including temples at Rameshwaram, Dwaraka, and Badrinath. The Jagannath idol is black in color and lacks proper arms. He is worshipped along with His brother Balabhadra and sister Suvadra.


The legendary account of Jagannath's creation as mentioned in the 'Skanda Purana', 'Brahma Purana' and other Puranas, and later in other Oriya works, state that originally Jagannath Dev wasworshipped as Neel Madhab by Viswavasu, a Savar King (Tribal Chief). Having heard of the surreptitious deity, King Indradyumna of Kalinga, sent a brahmin, Bidyapati, to locate the deity.

The famous Festival of the Chariots is held on the second day of the bright fortnight of Ashada (June-July). Other names for this festival are Gundicha Yatra (named for the Gundicha Mandir, where the procession ends) and Ghosha Yatra. On the day of the festival, the Deities are taken out of the Temple and each one is placed on Their own stylized chariot. The chariots are kept near the main Temple's main gate, the Lion Gate. The Deities are carried to the chariots in a traditional, ceremonial way. First Sudarshan, then Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath. Balabhadra and Jagannath are carried in such a way that They rock forward and backward, moving from pillow to pillow as they approach the chariots, and finally ascend the ramp leading to their seats. This rocking motion is called Pahandi. The name of Lord Jagannath's chariot is Nandighosh. It has 16 wheels, and is covered in red and yellow material. Lord Balabhadra's chariot is called Taladwaja, has 14 wheels and is covered with red and green material. The third chariot, Devadalana, belongs to Lady Subhadra. It has 12 wheels and a red and black canopy. There are four other Deities that also ride on the chariots, making a total of seven Deities in all. Lady Subhadra shares Her chariot with Sudarshan, who sits by Her side. Lord Jagannath sits with Madanmohan, who represents Lord Jagannath Himself. Lord Balabhadra is accompanied by two small, brass deities of Rama and Krshna. The chariots are pulled about three kilometers down Puri's Grand Road, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Mandir or Gundicha Ghar. If one or more chariots doesn't make it all the way, it is simply moved the following day. The fifth day of the festival is known as Hera Panchami, the day that one of Jagannath's two wives, Goddess Laxmi, goes to Gundicha Mandir to see Her husband. On the ninth day, the chariots are pulled back to the area near the Lion Gate. On the evening of the tenth day (the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha, also Hari Sayan Ekadasi), the Deities are dresssed in golden garments adorned with golden decorations. The next day, another important ritual, Adharapana Bhog, is performed. On that day, a specially prepared sweet drink is offered to the Deities. There is a procession on the evening of the next day, wherein the Deities are taken back into the Temple. This ceremony draws a large crowd of worshippers.

Lord Subhadra

The present Jagannath temple is a rekha deula with curvilinear tower on a Pancha Ratha plan (Five chariot plan). It was built by Ananta Barma Chodaganga Dev during 12th century A.D and was completed by his grandson Ananga Bhima Dev. This temple is one of the tallest monuments in the country, with a height of about 214 feet from the ground level. The Annual Rathayatra festival is the high point of all the Festivals celebrated. Millions of devotees from every corner of the world gather round the temple during the 'Ratha Yatra' festival of Sri Jagannath. As the legend goes, every year Lord Jagannath, accompanied by His brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra leaves the temple to visit His aunt. The three of them are pulled in huge stringed chariots (Rathas) and the King of Puri himself sweeps the roads with a golden broom for the Lord of the World to pass. It is believed that observing the Ratha Yatra and pulling at the ropes of the chariot leads one to salvation from the cycle of birth and date.