Chariots of the Gods…

Then come crowds of devotees pulling long ropes attached to the chariot (the chariots here are mostly scaled down. In Puri, traditionally, they’re HUGE – basically temples on wheels)

(In case it matters, yes, I took a turn on the ropes. I’m not a devotee, but I can probably use all the Divine good wishes I can get, and I WAS informed that pulling the gods’ chariots earns a great reward, ranging from a “highly auspicious future” to “forgiveness of all sins” to “forgiveness of all sin and eternal bliss” – though I suspect that last involves using both hands and a great deal of lower back.)