Temple car
Stone temple car in the Vitthala Temple at Hampi, India. Temple car in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Temple cars are chariots that are used to carry representations of Hindu gods. The cars are usually used on annual festival days called 'Ther Thiruvizha' (தேர் திருவிழா), during which many people gather around. The size of the largest temple cars inspired the Anglo-Indian term Juggernaut (from Jagannath), signifying a tremendous, virtually unstoppable force or phenomenon. The procession of the great temple car of Thiruvarur (in Tamil: ஆழித் தேர்) features prominently in an ancient festival held in the town. This festival, called Ratha Yatra, is a famous festival mainly observed in Eastern India. It is usually held annually in March and April, lasts more than 25 days, and is often mentioned in the devotional hymns of saints Tirugnanasambandar and Sundarar, as well as in Tamil literature. This great chariot is said to be the largest of its kind in height and weight, standing