ISKCON Kolkata Fits Sukhoi Fighter Jet Tyres on Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra Chariot for 2025:

Suspense crime, Digital Desk : In a forwards devotion engineering mix, ISKCON Kolkata has modernized the primary Rath Yatra chariot of Lord Jagannath by substituting its Boeing aircraft tires with Sukhoi fighter jet tires. This modernization will be showcased on June 27, 2025 at the Rath Yatra festival where thousands of devotees from Kolkata are expected to attend.

Reasons for the Decision of Sukhoi Tyres over Boeing

The chariot had been using a set of retired Boeing aircraft tires for 48 years, but the fetch became more complicated when Dunlop, the former manufacturer, went out of business. The vice president of ISKCON Kolkata, Radharaman Das, stated that the obsolete tires were creating logistical and maintenance problems.

After some years of research ISKON found that the MRF manufactured tires of Sukhoi 4th generation fighter jet were ideal in terms of dimensions and weight. The MRF team examined the chariot in December of 2023 and the rest of the tasks followed them.

Trial and Performance Validation from the rest were successful
A trial run of 20 kilometers was performed in Kolkata on the last of May, which verified the use of the Sukhoi tires. Each tire can hold 16 tonnes of weight guaranteeing that the stability and safety of the whole chariot structure is key during the main procession as well as the return journey which is called Ultorath on the 5th of July.

First Use of Fighter Jet Tyres in a Religious Procession

“This is probably the first time a fighter jet's tyres have been fitted to a religious chariot in India or even Asia,” Das said. The adoption of aircraft tyres in 1977 marked a technological leap, but the Sukhoi-grade jump as is nothing short of stunning.

While Lord Jagannath's chariot now boasts these advanced tires, Balabhadra and Subhadra's chariots will continue to don their traditional iron wheels.

Innovation Meets Tradition at Rath Yatra 2025

This change ensures the spirit of the festival is preserved, while also adding a new layer of safety and performance. It is expected that thousands will attend, and ISKCON’s engineering marvel ensures the smooth and secure movement of the deity and devotees.