Rath Yatra of Shri Jagannath

Wishing you all a Happy Rath Yatra!

Rath Yatra is the biggest and the most paramount festival celebrated in the state of Odisha, every year, in the monsoon months of June and July. The presiding deities of the main temple, Srimandira (in Puri), Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, with the celestial wheel Sudarshana are taken out from the temple in an elaborate ritual procession on their respective chariots. The huge, vividly decorated chariots, are drawn by hundreds of devotees on the Bada Danda, the grand avenue to the Gundicha temple. Devotees pull these three beautiful giant chariots. These chariots have unique names. The name of Lord Jagannath’s Chariot is Nandighosh, that of Lord Balabhadra is Taladhwaja and that of Goddess Subhadra is Devdalana. After a stay for seven days in their maternal aunt’s (mausi) home, the deities return to their abode in Srimandira.

It is believed that Lord Jagannath wishes to visit his birthplace for a few days every year and to fulfil this desire Rath Yatra is celebrated. The whole ceremony is a 12-day long process, which includes many rituals, including the Snan Yatra.

It’s believed that the glimpse of Lord Jagannatha on the chariot is regarded as very auspicious and the ancient scriptures and bards have repeatedly glorified the sanctity of this occasion. It is said by the locals that even with a touch of the chariot or the ropes, with which these are chariots are pulled, is considered enough to confer the results of several pious deeds.

The concept of the chariot has been explained in the Kathopanishada in the following words-

“Atmanam rathinam viddhi sareeram rathamevatu
Buddhim tu saarathim viddhi marah pragrahameva cha.”

Meaning-
The body is the Chariot and the soul is the deity installed in the chariot. The wisdom acts as the charioteer to control the mind and thoughts.

Speaking historically, the Ratha Yatra of Jagannath dates back to the period when the temple was built by Anantavarma Chodaganagadeva in the 11th century CE. Also, if we check the tracts of historical facts and texts, we will find that there were a lot of times when this auspicious and grandest festival of Rath Yatra was stayed back.

In today’s scenario, keeping in mind about the ongoing pandemic situation,the apex court (Supreme Court) granted liberty to celebrate this festival but with some major restrictions.

https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/less-known-facts-about-rath-yatra-or-car-festival

In a nutshell, the Rath Yatra, which is not only celebrated in Odisha but also in other states like -West Bengal and Gujarat, remains one of the grandest festivals celebrated in India, gathering a large number of devotees,hence. Joi Jogonnath!