The Stone Chariot

The Stone Chariot

Hampi, Vijaynagar  Empire, 16th Century AD

        Huge wooden chariots are common in South Indian and Eastern Indian temples.  These chariots are used for taking the deity out for his annual ride through the city. It was a means to bind the worshipers and the worshiped.  Here we see a chariot done in stone. It was most likely carved out a single boulder. Surprisingly the chariot is being pulled by two elephants. But the elephants are dwarfed by the chariot. Although  a miniature model of the original wooden chariot, but by shrinking the elephants the sculptor has made the chariot look huge. A huge endeavour  has to be made to pull the 'rath' of faith on the road to Nirvana or Moksha.