Thread by @thebetterindia

#DidYouKnow #JagannathRathYatra
1/ Aswini Mishra, an engineer from Brajrajnagar, Odisha, used his skills to develop brakes for the majestic chariots back in 2006, to make the chariots safe.

2/ After reading about a tragic death of a devotee, Mishra came up with a brake system that can stop the contraption in case of any incidence, which also increases ease of use. He showcased his brake system to the temple administration, which accepted it with open arms.

3/ The brake system used earlier consisted of a wooden log that sat in front of the Ratha's wheels. Applying the brakes meant pulling a lever so the log would stop the wheels in motion.

This was found to be very ineffective

4/ Mishra, who works with the Lajkura Open Cast Project at Mahanadi Coalfields Limited. He roped in his workers to develop a much more efficient brake system for the Ratha.

For this, the team experimented with various materials from rubber straps to wooden, and steel nails.

5/ And finally, after a few years of experimenting, they were successful with large head nails and thicker rubber sheets which managed to stop the chariot more efficiently.

“We tried all innovative ways to make the chariot stop comfortably,” says Mishra.

6/ He continued, “We got the inspiration from the football footwear studs and had stroked the nails in that pattern, and it proved to hold the wooden log in the same place when applied, and till now we have been preparing it for Lord Jagannath.”

7/ The brake system is designed to use for all future Ratha Yatras and Mishra who funded the project, believes this cost-effective method would be helpful for many processions.