Why Lord Jagannath’s Chariot Is Called Nandighosh
Why Is Shri Jagannath’s Chariot /Rath Named Nandighosha ? The chariot in which Lord Jagannath sits is called Nandighosha. Some people used to call it Garuda dwaja , but it is known worldwide by the name Nandighosha. Not only Odia people but the whole world knows this. But do you know why the chariot of Lord Jagannath is called Nandighosha? It could have been something else. But why Nandighosha? When asked about this, the writer remained silent. But the answer was given by the poet emperor Upendra Bhanja, the son of the Utkal land.
Rath Yatra celebrates the journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. While the deities are the main focus, the Nandighosh Rath, with its intricate design and spiritual significance, holds a special place in the hearts of devotees.
The Nandighosh Rath is more than just a chariot; it’s a representation of the rich cultural and religious heritage of the region. With its stunning design and majestic presence, the chariot is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Rath Yatra festival.
The reason for this was first written by Kalajai in ‘Vaidheesh Bilas‘. The name of Mahaprabhu’s chariot is Nandighosha, because when the battle broke out between Purushottama Shriram and Ravana in Tretaya, Ravana fought on a chariot and a flower chariot, while Shriram was on foot. He fought on foot. He had nothing. Because he had not come to Vanavasa with the aim of such a fierce battle. So he had no need for all these. But when the time came to fight with Ravana, who had abducted Mother Sita, he stayed on the surface and fought with Ravana, sometimes riding a chariot and sometimes sitting in a flower chariot in the air. Seeing this, he prayed to the Jambavanta devas, who are said to be incarnations of Brahma, to give Shriram a chariot. Hearing the prayer, all the devas came together and built a chariot. They combined their power in it. Seeing this, Mahadev himself prayed to the Lord. He requested him to serve the Lord. When the Lord agreed to this, Mahadev sent his servant Nandi. It is said that hearing the silent sound of Nandi creates fear in the mind. Therefore, when the chariot is moving, Nandi will sit on top of one of the wheels of the chariot. The silent, distorted sound that he will make will cause the army of Ravana to scatter in fear.
Jagannath’s Rath Nandighosha
Devotees know that when Sadashiv performs the Tandava, Nandi plays a horn. Nandi plays an important role in the Tandava. Nandi announces the destruction by playing the instrument. Half of the destruction occurs with his announcement. So when Mahadev sent Nandi, Nandi sat on the wheel of Sri Ram’s chariot. The strange sound that came out of Nandi’s mouth destroyed half of Ravana’s army. In this way, the chariot of Purushottam was named ‘Nandighosha’. This statement of poet Shri Upendra Bhanja has been acknowledged by Utkal Ghant Yadumani Mahapatra.
After this, some other mythological reasons are also explained. Another interesting reason is that the word ‘Nanda’ means the one who gives joy to others. Jagannath Mahaprabhu always considers himself to be the little child of King Nanda. He feels the immense affection of King Nanda, mother Devaki, and the love of hundreds of gopanganas within himself. Whatever happens, Nanda is his most beloved, as if he is sitting on the shoulders of King Nanda, as if he is a Kuni Kahna. Sitting on the chariot, Mahaprabhu declares this. That is why it is said that Mahaprabhu’s chariot is called ‘Nandighosha’.
The chariot ‘Nandighosha’ is also called Anandighosha. When Lord Jagannath rides in this chariot, every corner of it gives joy to the devotees. That is why this chariot is called ‘Nandighosha’.
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