Lord Jagannath’s chariot to roll on Sukhoi tyres in Kolkata’s June 27 Rath Yatra

Kolkatas iconic Lord Jagannath chariot will roll on brand-new tyres originally designed for the Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet during the Rath Yatra procession on June 27.

The new tyres, supplied by Indian manufacturer MRF, replace the ageing Boeing 747 wheels that have been in use since 1977. These original tyres were second-hand and donated by an ISKCON member when the chariots were first built, but over time they deteriorated, necessitating frequent repairs.

This years Rath Yatra in Kolkata will see Lord Jagannaths chariot rolling on brand-new tyres designed for a Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet, marking the end of a two-decade hunt for a worthy replacement for its ageing Boeing 747 wheels.

The new Sukhoi tyres promise enhanced stability and safety on Kolkatas often uneven roads, which include tram tracks, ensuring a smoother and safer journey for the chariot and devotees. Despite the tyres being designed for a fighter jet capable of speeds up to 280 km per hour, the chariot will move at a gentle pace of 1.4 km per hour during the procession.

The new Sukhoi tyres, supplied by Indian manufacturer MRF, promise better stability and safety on Kolkatas often uneven roads, some of which still have tram tracks. This years procession on June 27 will see the chariot moving at a gentle 1.4 km per hour, a far cry from the Sukhois 280 km per hour take-off speed.

Weighing the massive chariot was a challenge, but it was found to be about nine tonnes. When factoring in the weight of devotees on board during the Yatra, the tyres need to support approximately 16 tonnes, underscoring the importance of durable and reliable wheels.

Finding a weighing scale for a massive chariot was a huge task. We eventually managed to weigh it and it came to about nine tonnes. Factoring in the weight of devotees on the chariot during the Yatra, we realised that the tires would need to support a weight of about 16 tonnes.

This upgrade marks a significant improvement in the safety and stability of the chariot, ensuring the centuries-old tradition continues smoothly on Kolkatas challenging urban terrain.

Kolkata’s Lord Jagannath chariot will roll on new Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet tyres supplied by MRF during the June 27 Rath Yatra, replacing the ageing Boeing 747 wheels used since 1977. The tyres promise enhanced stability and safety on uneven city roads, supporting up to 16 tonnes.