Tag: Jagganath Rath Yatra

The Jagannath Rath Yatra

The Jagannath Rath Yatra is an annual Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath celebrated in Puri at the state of Odisha. It is celebrated on the Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya which is the third month according to the traditional Oriya calendar. A 9-day long event, it is celebrated as the return journey of Lord Krishna- who is known as Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra- also known as Balaram and his sister Devi Subhadra to Vrindavana . On their way back from the Shri Gundicha Temple, the three stop near Mausi Maa’s Temple (their aunt’s abode) where Poda Pitha is offered to them.

The rath yatra begins at the Jagannaath Temple in Puri. The Jagannath Temple is believed to have been constructed by the king of Ganga Dynasty- Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva in the 12th century(source-wikipedia). The image of Sri Krishna (Lord Jagannath) in the temple of Puri is made of wood and is replaced every 12 or 19 years by an exact replica. This temple is part of the Char Dham( that comprises of the temples of Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri and Rameswaram).

Every year, the rath of all three deities is newly constructed by a specialized team of carpenters from the wood of a particular type of neem tree and takes about 2 months to construct. They are given hereditary rights for the very same. A week prior to the Rath Yatra, the Jagannath temple’s doors are shut as the lord is believed to have caught a high fever during his annual bath. After the end of the 7-day rest period, the doors are opened and the 3 km Rath Yatra begins, where thousands of devotees from all over the world participate in pulling the raths of the 3 deities to Shri Gundicha Temple. It is a popular belief that anyone who participates in the Rath Yatra is blessed with a good fortune. During the festival, the king dressed as a sweeper, sweeps the area around all the 3 chariots with a golden broom and sprinkles sandalwood water and powder as a part of the Chera Paahara ritual held on two separate days that marks the beginning as well as the end of the Rath Yatra. This day of the beginning of Rath Yatra also marks the beginning of agricultural season and farmers start ploughing their fields. It also marks the beginning of a three weeks long Chandan Yatra.

This year, however, in response to the covid-19 pandemic that is spread across the country, the government said that the Rath Yatra will take place with only 5 vehicles including 3 chariots and no devotees. The Supreme Court also said that the Rath Yatra will take place in limited areas of Puri. It began on the 12th of July,2021.

Jagganath Rath Yatra 2021

India is land of culture and tradition; its diversity is the main reason behind such a vast number of festivals, celebrations, rituals and ceremony that we Indians celebrate every year. This forms our culture, which is rich and beautiful. One such instance of our culture that showcase the devotion, unity and purity is Jagannath Rath Yatra, Orissa.
The preparation for Jagannath Puri rath yatra which is held every year during the month of June and July has begin from today. The yatra is held in Puri, located in Orissa in the Jagannath temple. The Jagannath temple is a holy shrine for the devotees constructed by king Chodagan Dev in 12th century. It is no less than a festival for the people of Orissa and lasts for many days.
The word “Jagannath” which stands for lord of universe and rath yatra which refers to chariot journey. The popular yatra is basically about three deities lord Jagannath Bal Bhadra (brother of lord Jagannath) and sister Subhadra who travel from Jagannath temple to Gundicha shrine and they return back to Jagannath, the distance is approximately 3km and the whole celebration lasts for eight to nine days. Three big chariot which are made out of neem wood and other material, these are very tall and have long stretch canopies on the top made out of cloth and thousands of devotees pull these three chariots or rath and it takes 2 to 3 months to make these huge rath who can carry the idol of all three. Every year new rath are designed and the rituals start many days before the rath yatra.
Pulling these rath is considered a good deed and every year there are visitors from around the country to be a part of this extra ordinary rath yatra. It is a 460-year-old tradition, it has immense importance but, from the past two years the Yatra is held in the presence of limited number of people that too the main ones.
Well, this is only one out of many in India most of the time in a year people are celebrating their traditions, rituals and identity. The best part about this is getting to learn about the ancient practices and the importance they carry like why this is done, what is the speciality, where does all this takes place etc. All these things keep us connected to our land and people. Hence, of greater importance specially when you belong to such a diverse nation.