In the ancient city of Toshali in Odisha, archaeologists have unearthed a massive industrial-scale workshop for casting bronze chariot components. Dating back to the 2nd century BCE, the site contains stone molds for heavy-duty wheels and axles, far larger than what would be needed for warfare. This suggests they were intended for the construction of monumental Rathas (chariots) used in religious processions similar to the modern Ratha Yatra.
The proximity of the workshop to a major Buddhist stupa and an Ashokan rock edict suggests that these 'Chariot Festivals' were state-sponsored events used to disseminate religious and political messages. The discovery provides a missing link in the evolution of Indian processional heritage, showing that the tradition of pulling massive divine chariots through city streets has been a central feature of South Asian cultural life for over two millennia.