Lord Jagannath becomes MRF's second client for Sukhoi tyres after IAF
On the night May 31, the chariot of Lord Jagannath rolled on the streets of Kolkata with tyres of Sukhoi fighter jets. The 24 km dry run was to ascertain whether the four tyres that are fixed to usually Sukhoi fighter jets were fitted properly to the wooden chariot of the Lord Jagannath.
ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Kolkata, which has been organising annual Rath Yatra for the past five decades have been looking to replace the Boeing tyres fitted to the chariot of Lord Jagnnath for the past few years.
Radharaman Das, the Vice President of ISKCON Kolkata said that when he approached the tyre maker MRF they were shocked at the request of Sukhoi aircraft tyres for chariot of Lord Jagannath.
'For the last 48 years the chariot of Lord Jagnnath has been working on Boeing tyres, for the last 20 years we have been looking for a replacement. MRF finally called us in December 2024, they were also shocked because they only have only one client the Indian Air Force,' Mr. Das told The Hindu.
The ageing tyres of Boeing -747 had been serving the chariot for over 50 years but last year the organisers of the Rath Yatra faced significant challenges including axel issues.
'In 1972 we started the first Kolkata Rath Yatra. In 1977 an American disciple got this new chariot made for Lord Jagannath. He used Boeing second hand tyres from Kolkata Airport to make the chariot,' he said.
The Boeing tyres were manufactured by Kolkata based tyres makers Dunlop, But since Dunlop suspended its operation a long time ago, finding aircraft tyres was a challenge to ISKCON. The Sukhoi's 4-ft diameter tyres were found to be the closest to the jumbo jet tyres which were of the same diameter.
Mr. Das said that MRF sent a team comprising a general manager to verify their claims and needs for new Sukhoi tyres. 'MRF sent a team of their general manager and others to see that we have the Boeing jumbo jet tyres in our chariot. Then they sent a report and MRF finally agreed to sell four tyres,' the ISKCON representative said. The four tyres, each of which can withstand a load of 16 tonnes have come at a cost of Rs 1.72 lakh
The installation of Sukhoi tyres took about 20 to 25 days, which required minor structural changes keeping the traditional wooden and iron structures intact and a dry run was held on Saturday night. Mr. Das said that the chariots of other deities including Lord Balaram chariot has got new iron wheels for the chariot.
On July 27, 2025 when thousands of devotees will participate in the annual Rath Yatra of ISKCON in Kolkata, and pull the ropes of chariot of Lord Jagannath, it will gently roll the tyres of Sukhoi jets which are meant to pierce the skies at supersonic speed.
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India.com
a day ago
- India.com
From Runways To Rath Yatra: This Is How Sukhoi Fighter Jet Tyres To Support Lord Jagannaths Chariot
In a harmonious fusion of tradition and contemporary technology, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Kolkata has installed tyres utilized in Sukhoi 4th generation fighter aircraft onto Lord Jagannath's chariot for the Rath Yatra of this year. The festival, one of the city's most eagerly awaited spiritual celebrations, will be held on June 27. This is a major upgrade following 48 years of utilising Boeing aircraft tyres for the chariot. ISKCON authorities state that the old Boeing tyres had created technical problems, and efforts to find appropriate substitutes over the past two decades were underway. "We were facing issues with the old tyres and tried for years to find an alternative. Since Dunlop, the manufacturer of the original Boeing tyres, shut operations long ago, we explored other options," said ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharaman Das in an interview. "After extensive research, we discovered that tyres used in Sukhoi fighter jets matched the diameter and load specifications required for the chariot. We reached out to MRF, the manufacturer of Sukhoi tyres, and their team inspected our chariot in December 2023," he mentioned. After the evaluation, the tyres were installed on the main wooden chariot, which completed a successful trial run of 20 kilometres in Kolkata on May 31. Das assured that structural changes were incorporated to fit the new tyres. All four of the Sukhoi tyres are capable of carrying a maximum load of 16 tonnes, facilitating the safe transport of the chariot during the Rath Yatra and Ultorath, which is scheduled on July 5. The chariots of the deities accompanying Lord Jagannath will still run on conventional iron wheels. "This is possibly a first-of-its-kind move in the country, if not Asia. We initially fitted Boeing tyres back in 1977, and to our knowledge, such a practice of using aircraft or fighter jet tyres in religious processions is unprecedented," Das said. The new tyres are likely to provide a smoother and safer ride for Lord Jagannath down the roads of Kolkata, as thousands of believers line up to watch the religious procession.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Sukhoi fighter jet tyres fitted on Lord Jagannath's chariot for ISKCON Kolkata Rath Yatra
After 48 years of using Boeing aircraft tyres, Kolkata's ISKCON Rath Yatra chariot has been upgraded with Sukhoi fighter jet tyres for this year's festival on June 27th. ISKCON sought replacements when the original Dunlop tyres became problematic, discovering that MRF's Sukhoi tyres matched the chariot's specifications. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Forty-eight years after trundling on tyres used for Boeing aircraft, the chariot used during ISKCON's Rath Yatra in Kolkata has got new tyres that are used for Sukhoi 4th generation fighter chariot, with the new set of tyres, will carry Lord Jagannath on this year's Rath Yatra which will be held on June ageing and worn-out old tyres have been replaced by the new tyres used for Sukhoi 4th generation fighter jets, according to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).Vice President of ISKCON Kolkata Radharaman Das told PTI on Monday that for the last 48 years, tyres used for Boeing aircraft were used to pull the chariot of Lord Jagannath, but for the last 20 years they have been trying to get a replacement as technical issues cropped up with the four old tyres over time."We were looking for replacements but the maker of Boeing tyres, Dunlop had stopped operations years back. After thorough research, Sukhoi's tyres closely matched our specifications as those have the same diameter size tyres used in Boeing," he said."We then contacted MRF which makes tyres for the Sukhoi fighter jets. The company's experts came to Kolkata in December last year and inspected our chariot that carries the idol of Lord Jagannath on Rath yatra. After the tyres were fitted, the chariot had a test run for over 20 km in the city on May 31," he structural adjustments had to be made in the wooden chariot to fit in the Sukhoi tyres, Das said."So by the grace of Lord Jagannath his chariot got brand new tyres and we are confident of a smooth journey of the Lord on the day of auspicious Rath Yatra on June 27 and Ultorath-The return car festival on July 5," he of the four tyres can withstand a load of 16 tonnes. The chariots of other deities will have iron wheels as if using fighter aircraft tyres for pulling the chariot of the Lord is unique and unprecedented, Das said, "We had fitted Boeing tyres with the main chariot in 1977 for the Lord's journey on the roads of Kolkata. We have no information about such practices followed elsewhere in the country or Asia."
The Print
a day ago
- The Print
Sukhoi fighter jet tyres fitted on Lord Jagannath's chariot for ISKCON Kolkata Rath Yatra
The ageing and worn-out old tyres have been replaced by the new tyres used for Sukhoi 4th generation fighter jets, according to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The chariot, with the new set of tyres, will carry Lord Jagannath on this year's Rath Yatra which will be held on June 27. Kolkata, Jun 2 (PTI) Forty-eight years after trundling on tyres used for Boeing aircraft, the chariot used during ISKCON's Rath Yatra in Kolkata has got new tyres that are used for Sukhoi 4th generation fighter jets. Vice President of ISKCON Kolkata Radharaman Das told PTI on Monday that for the last 48 years, tyres used for Boeing aircraft were used to pull the chariot of Lord Jagannath, but for the last 20 years they have been trying to get a replacement as technical issues cropped up with the four old tyres over time. 'We were looking for replacements but the maker of Boeing tyres, Dunlop had stopped operations years back. After thorough research, Sukhoi's tyres closely matched our specifications as those have the same diameter size tyres used in Boeing,' he said. 'We then contacted MRF which makes tyres for the Sukhoi fighter jets. The company's experts came to Kolkata in December last year and inspected our chariot that carries the idol of Lord Jagannath on Rath yatra. After the tyres were fitted, the chariot had a test run for over 20 km in the city on May 31,' he said. Some structural adjustments had to be made in the wooden chariot to fit in the Sukhoi tyres, Das said. 'So by the grace of Lord Jagannath his chariot got brand new tyres and we are confident of a smooth journey of the Lord on the day of auspicious Rath Yatra on June 27 and Ultorath-The return car festival on July 5,' he added. Each of the four tyres can withstand a load of 16 tonnes. The chariots of other deities will have iron wheels as usual. Asked if using fighter aircraft tyres for pulling the chariot of the Lord is unique and unprecedented, Das said, 'We had fitted Boeing tyres with the main chariot in 1977 for the Lord's journey on the roads of Kolkata. We have no information about such practices followed elsewhere in the country or Asia.' PTI SUS SBN SBN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
