Berhampur: Devotion to Sri Jagannath and willpower to do something can make wonders. This came true for the young artisan of Berhampur Satya Maharana, who has created the smallest wooden Ratha of Lord Shri Jagannath.
Satya Maharana has created a miniature Nandighosa Ratha that has all the similarities of the original Ratha of Puri. Maharana’s Ratha has a height of 2.5 inches and width of two inches. It has 16 wheels, four horses, two parrots and the colourful top with Chandua cloth. The height of the Jagannath Idol inside the Ratha is only one centimeter. According to Maharana, this could be the smallest chariot in the world. The installed Sarathi Idol is also having only one and a half centimeters height.
Weighing only 8 grams, the Ratha is ready to roll on the road. It took more than four days to prepare the wooden Ratha for Maharana. “The Guinness Book of Records has given its consent for giving it a special tag,” said Maharana.
With an intent to create something that will attract everybody, Maharana started making miniature Rathas few years back. In the year 2016 he made a chariot of 14 inches. In 2017 the size decreased to 8.5 inches and in 2018 he got recognition for his 4 inches height Ratha.
Satya Maharana is a famous sand art sculpture based out of Berhampur and his devotion to Lord Jagannath has helped him create the small wonder. He wants to spread the Jagannath tradition to the world and create awareness among the people.