[Shrikruti Sharma]

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ॐ विश्वमूर्तये जगन्नाथये नम:

According to mythological belief, Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra starts on the second day of Shukla Paksha of Ashadh month. The Jagannath Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is a significant Hindu festival in Puri, Odisha, India, dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra, and his elder brother Balabhadra. The festival involves deities procession through Puri streets, attracting millions of devotees worldwide.

History:

According to the Puranas, it is said that the sister of Lord Jagannath wanted to see the city. On his words, Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra went to visit the city sitting on the chariot of their sister Subhadra. During this, he also went to his aunt’s house in Gundicha and stayed here for seven days. Since then the tradition of taking out this Rath Yatra is going on. Some legends also suggest Lord Jagannath wanted to visit his birthplace, Gundicha Temple, and initiated the festival as a grand procession to transport deities from Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple. The Jagannath Rath Yatra begins months in advance, with chariots made of wood and decorated with various designs. The festival attracts thousands of devotees from India, with the government and temple administration ensuring smooth conduct, security measures, and medical facilities.

The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a nine-day celebration, beginning with the Snana Yatra, followed by the Nabajoubana Darshan. Deities are then processioned to chariots in Puri, where they are offered flowers, fruits, and offerings. The festival symbolises communal harmony and the return journey to Jagannath Temple. Jagannath Rath Yatra is a significant Hindu festival celebrated across India, symbolising unity, harmony, and peace, with historical and cultural significance.

Rituals:

The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a festival involving various rituals and customs, including Snana Purnima, chariot construction, Chhera Pahara, pulling the chariots, Gundicha Temple visit, Bahuda Yatra, and return. The festival begins with a ceremonial bath for the deities on full moon day, followed by a period of rest and seclusion known as Anasara. The chariots are made of wood and decorated with bright colours. The Gajapati King of Puri performs the Chhera Pahara ritual, cleansing the path for the deities. The main event of the festival is pulling the chariots, which are then pulled from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. After a nine-day stay at the Gundicha Temple, the deities are brought back to the Jagannath Temple in a procession called the Bahuda Yatra, where the chariots are pulled back to the temple.

 

 

नीलांचल निवासाय नित्याय परमात्मने। बलभद्र सुभद्राभ्याम् जगन्नाथाय ते नमः।।

 

 

src: Vanparva of Mahabharata

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