INTRICATELY CARVED LORD VISHNU

This intricately carved wooden Lord Vishnu is a collector’s dream. Vishnu is the preserver of the universe and one of the principal deities of Hindu Trinity is from Tamil Nadu and was once a part of a chariot. Lord Vishnu as per Hindu iconography carries a Lotus, mace, conch and a discus (Sudarshana Chakra).

These are made of wood and in most cases have exquisite and intricate carvings on multiple set-in panels.Similar carvings were used to decorate temple cars or chariots also called as “Rathas” are vehicles used to carry idols of Hindu gods in processions on annual festival days.  The carvings can be images depicting stories from puranas, deities, mythical animals like Yali, ganas, dancers, real animals etc.

Rathas from different parts of India vary in style, size and design. These rathas decorated with flowers and jewels are pulled with thick ropes by hundreds of devotees. The anglo-Indian term “Juggernaut” was inspired by the large temple cars at Jagannath temple, Puri. The chariot at Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu is said to be the largest – 29 metres tall and weighing over 300 tonnes.

When these chariots get too old or need big repairs, they are replaced by new ones. These chariot pieces once were a part of the temple rathas.