Phulbani (Kandhamala): Imagine holding the three sacred Rath Yatra chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on the tip of your finger.
A young artist from Odisha’s Kandhamala district has turned this imagination into reality with an extraordinary work of micro-art.
N. Pratyush Kumar Choudhury, a resident of Nadikhandi Sahi in Phulbani, has created what he believes is the world’s smallest Rath Yatra chariot set made entirely from mustard seeds. His artwork reflects not only remarkable skill but also deep devotion to Lord Jagannath.
The miniature set includes Nandighosha, the chariot of Lord Jagannath, measuring just 1.5 cm in height, Taladhwaja, the chariot of Lord Balabhadra, standing 1.3 cm tall, and Darpadalana, the chariot of Devi Subhadra, measuring only 1.1 cm.
Choudhury spent six days completing the artwork. Using nearly 300 mustard seeds, he carefully placed each seed by hand to create the tiny chariots. The work required patience, precision and steady hands, making it one of his most challenging creations.
The choice of mustard seeds was not made simply because of their small size. The artist said they hold a special place in the history of Lord Jagannath.
According to legend, Lord Jagannath was first worshipped as Nilamadhaba (Neel Madhab) in a dense forest by the tribal chief Visvavasu. When King Indradyumna came to know about the deity, he sent the Brahmin Vidyapati to find the hidden shrine.
Visvavasu later agreed to take Vidyapati to the shrine but blindfolded him to keep its location secret. During the journey, Vidyapati quietly dropped mustard seeds along the forest path.
After some time, the seeds grew into mustard plants, creating a natural trail. When Vidyapati returned with King Indradyumna, they followed the mustard plants and discovered the sacred shrine of Nilamadhaba.
Inspired by this story, Choudhury decided to create the miniature Rath Yatra chariots using mustard seeds. For him, the seeds are a symbol of faith, patience, wisdom and divine guidance, making the artwork a tribute to Odisha’s rich Jagannath tradition.
“I chose mustard seeds because they are closely linked with the legend of Nilamadhaba and Vidyapati. The tallest chariot, Nandighosha, is only 1.5 cm high. I believe this is the world’s smallest Rath Yatra chariot set made entirely from mustard seeds,” said N. Pratyush Kumar Choudhury.
This is not the first time Choudhury has amazed people with his micro-art. Earlier, he created miniature Rath Yatra chariots on a piece of chalk and even on a single grain of rice. Through his unique creations, he continues to showcase Odisha’s cultural heritage in an innovative way.
The young artist now hopes his latest work will earn a place in national and international record books while bringing recognition to Odisha’s traditional art and the rich legacy of Lord Jagannath.
With hundreds of tiny mustard seeds, Choudhury has created something far greater than a miniature sculpture. His work is a beautiful reminder that even the smallest creations can preserve and celebrate one of Odisha’s greatest traditions.
