A man in Vadodara, took his own ‘Robotic Rath Yatra’ out on the streets in order to commemorate the grand celebration for the 145th Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra o Friday, an annual chariot festival associated with the Hindu God.
Jai Makwana, in what has been described as a “robotic tribute” to Lord Jagannath, chanted devotional songs while fanning his chariot in a small procession.
Jai described the unique spectacle as an “amalgamation of science & traditions”.
“This robotic rath yatra is a modern-day celebration of the festival with the Lord manifesting in front of devotees on a robotic rath,” he said.
True to its name, the modern chariot involves a short-range wireless technology and operates on electromagnetic frequencies, doing away with the ropes traditionally used to haul the cart.
As Jai explained: “This robotic rath is operated via phone Bluetooth instead of the traditional rope.”
Rath Yatra, which marks the nine-day sojourn of Lord Jagannath and his siblings at the Gundichha Temple, is held every year on Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha.