Walk into any home in Puri during the Rath Yatra season or visit a corner of Raghurajpur village, and you’ll likely find a cloth painting of Lord Jagannath with bold eyes, floral borders, and intricate details. That is Pattachitra, a centuries-old tradition where deities are not just painted, they are invoked.
How Is Pattachitra Made?
The name itself tells you its essence: Patta means cloth, and Chitra means picture. These are not ordinary paintings; they are sacred images created with respect, devotion, and a deep understanding of mythological stories.
Pattachitra is made on cotton cloth. The cloth is coated with tamarind seed paste and powdered limestone, then dried and polished to prepare a smooth surface. Every color used comes from nature, such as soot for black, conch shells for white, stones, and flowers for red and yellow.
The artists, often from generations of painters, follow strict procedures. Many even fast or stay in a state of ritual purity while painting deities.
Role During Anavasara
These paintings are not for decoration alone. They are used inside the Jagannath Temple during Anavasara, the fortnight when the main idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra fall ill after their ceremonial bath and are kept away from public view.
During this time, painted images called Anavasara Patti are worshipped in place of the actual idols. It is believed that these paintings carry the same presence as the wooden deities, and darshan continues through brush and canvas.
Significance of Pattachitra
Pattachitra is deeply tied to Odisha’s identity. Each painting is rich in symbolism. From the lotus eyes of Lord Jagannath to the traditional floral motifs on the borders, every element reflects the belief system of the Jagannath cult. The images often depict Krishna Leela, scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, or the tower of the Jagannath temple itself.
Raghurajpur: The Heart of the Craft
In the heritage village of Raghurajpur, near Puri, families of artists have kept this tradition alive for generations. They don’t use machines, shortcuts, or modern materials. Every painting is handmade, often taking weeks or months, depending on the size and detail. Buyers don’t just take home art, they carry a piece of Jagannath culture, painted with prayer.
If you ever visit Odisha, get a Pattachitra. Not as a souvenir, but as a sacred image, one that connects art with worship, and beauty with belief.
Feature Image Credit: Pinterest.
