How the Indian chariot signifies art and culture
Chariots have interesting stories to tell. The entire cosmos becomes a chariot playing a significant role in the Indian thought process. The largest and magnificent object of National Museum, New Delhi is the installed chariot on the left corner of the campus, quaintly watched by every passer. Encased in a transparent and huge showcase, the chariot tells an interesting story from where it travelled to National Museum. This temple chariot was dedicated to Pandanalluru Sri Adikeshava Perumal, the form of Maha Vishnu from a Temple near Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu. It is a five-tiered structure in wood with six wheels, each wheel is 5.5 feet diameter and the weight of each wheel is 100 kg. That gives an idea of the massiveness and the size of this museum object, which was crafted in the mid-19th century. A team of craftsmen under the leadership of Pashupati Achari and his son executed the crafting of this chariot. Four patrons by name Manikkam Pillai, Subbu Pillai, Chattayya Pillai and Jambunatha Pillai were the great devotees of Adikeshava Perumal commissioned the chariot. Prastara, the wall portion of the chariot is carved with hundreds of panels with interesting tales to narrate. Most of them figure around the themes of Vishnu and his incarnation. Some themes represent erotic and secular aspects signifying the sacred and profane exist side by side. Scenes depicting child birth indicate the reality of human existence.
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