Divine Narratives: The Sacred Art of Jagannath Patachitra

Explore the vibrant world of Jagannath Patachitra, a traditional Odia art form dedicated to Lord Jagannath and the rich mythology of Puri. Known for its intricate details, bold colors, and spiritual themes, this ancient scroll painting tradition depicts scenes from the Jagannath Triad, Vaishnavite legends, and episodes from scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and Mahabharata. Each hand-painted Pata is a devotional offering, crafted by Chitrakar artists using natural pigments and organic brushes. Discover the cultural heritage, sacred symbolism, and timeless storytelling behind this exquisite art, which continues to thrive in Odisha’s Raghurajpur village and beyond.

Size- 18*13 inch

Material –

• Canvas (Patta)

  • Traditionally made from cotton or old saree cloth.

  • The cloth is coated with a mixture of chalk powder (sankha churna) and tamarind seed gum to create a smooth, leathery surface.

• Natural Pigments

  • White: Sourced from powdered conch shells.

  • Black: Made by burning coconut shells or lamp soot.

  • Red: Extracted from red stone (hingula).

  • Yellow: Derived from haritala

  • Green: Made by blending indigo with yellow pigment.

  • Blue: Obtained from indigo leaves.

• Brushes

  • Handmade using fine hair from animal tails, such as squirrel or mongoose, tied to bamboo or reed sticks.

• Gum/Adhesive

  • Derived from tamarind seeds, boiled and thickened into a natural glue to bind pigments and prepare the canvas.