Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra: Sunday, 7 July 2024

The word "Jagannath" means "Lord of Universe". It refers to Krishna, who according to legend had taken birth as Lord Jagannatha at Puri, Odisha. The Jagannath Rath Yatra is an annual festival in India. The festival is celebrated on the second day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Asadha (June-July). The main attraction of this festival is the pulling of a chariot carrying three deities: Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. The highlight of this festival is the procession of Lord Jagannath from his palace to the Gundicha Temple, where he offers prayers to the deities. The festival is also known as Shree Gundicha Jatra or Puri Jatra. The festival includes many rituals and celebrations such as the Bahuda Yatra, Dol Jatra, Dola Purnima, and other related festivities.

Jagannath Rath Yatra: Date, History, Significance, & Rituals Of The Festival

What is the History of Jagannath Rath Yatra?

The Rath Yatra festival dates back to over 500 years ago, when King Purushottam Deva was ruling Odisha. One day, he had a dream about Lord Jagannath and his brother Balabhadra asked for a temple to be built for them at Puri, Odisha. The king then decided to build a temple which was known as Sri Mandir. Thousands of devotees gather in Puri every year, pulling the huge chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Sister Subadra, believing that the divine vision of the gods will wash them all away from sin. Devotees from different regions gather in Odisha to take part in the Lord Jagannath Ratha Yatra, which is performed with all the rituals. The Chariot Festival is a spectacular tradition that is integral to mythology. It features elaborate processions of chariots, and is a time to celebrate the age-old traditions of the people.

What is the Significance of Jagannath Yatra?

Puri Rath Yatra is an ancient festival that is highly revered by devotees of Lord Jagannath. It holds great significance for them and is a cherished tradition. This 11-day festival is celebrated in the month of July according to the Indian calendar. The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a popular pilgrimage event that happens every year in Puri, India. Millions of devotees come to worship Lord Jagannath and receive his blessings. During this great festival, the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balbhadra and their sister Subhadra are taken out from the Jagannath Temple every year to shower blessings on their devotees. This large gathering of devotees pulling three Jagannath Rath is a sight to behold indeed.

What are the Rituals during Jagannath Rath Yatra?

The famous Ratha Yatra in Odisha is one of the few festivals in India where a unique ritual of carrying out the presiding deities is observed.
There are three different rathas, each with its own unique features. The rathas are all different sizes and colours, and they each have a number of wheels. Jagannatha's chariot has 16 wheels and is covered in red and yellow cloth. The ratha of Balabhadra is decorated with red and green cloth covers and is supported on 14 wheels. Subhadra's Ratha is covered in red and black clothing and has 12 wheels.
On the day of Sri Gundicha after the Ratha puja is performed by Deul Purohit, the procession starts from the sanctuary of the Jagannath temple to the Rathas, a ritual known as Pahandi. Gajapati Maharaja performs the sweeping (Chhera) and cleaning (Pahamra), using a golden broom sprinkled with sandalwood powder and water. After Chhera Pahamra, the rathas started their journey and were pulled by numerous devotees to the Gundicha Temple, about 3 km. away, where the deities stayed for 9 days. On their way back, the three chariots stopped at the Mausi Maa Temple, where they were offered bhog made from boiled corn.

How To Celebrate The Festival Of Jagannath Rath Yatra at home?

The festival of Jagannath Rath Yatra is celebrated with much fanfare and excitement. Even though last year there were guidelines in place to limit the celebration of the Rath Yatra due to COVID-19, you can still celebrate it at home. Ask the Lord for blessings during the puja to ensure everyone's well-being.
The festival is celebrated in different ways by different communities. One can make a lord krishna idol from clay and paint it with colours. One can also buy idols & figurines of lord Krishna from the shops or online to worship him. One can hang religious wall hangings on their walls, or can place Krishna paintings on their walls.
In order to perform Rath puja at home, you should decorate the idol with flowers after covering it with sandalwood paste. Lord Jagannath is easy to please. First, make offerings to the Lord with light incense for fragrance. Then light a lamp and offer coconuts and other prasad items. Finally, start the aarti of the Lord Jagannath and offer prayers.

5 Places to Celebrate Ratha Yatra Outside India

Apart from the initial celebration in the majestic city of Puri in Odisha, There are some other iconic cities outside of India where Ratha Yatra is celebrated heroically. Famous cities like Brisbane, Durban, San Francisco, London, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and even remote corners of Russia are celebrating Ratha Yatra's glory.
  1. San Francisco, USA
    Almost 49 years ago in 1967, the first Ratha Yatra outside India was celebrated in San Francisco, and interestingly enough, to the present day, the people of this city rejoice in the celebration with the utmost magnificence!
  2. Prague, Czech Republic
    Every year, the streets of Prague, Czech Republic, Ratha Yatra, are dotted with devout devotees who can be seen pulling a 40-foot chariot carrying the idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. There was a group of singers behind the group. The musicians and dancers who had been intoxicated in the festival.
  3. Durban, South Africa
    Durban's Ratha Yatra celebration began in 1988 and it continues to be a very popular event with locals and tourists alike. There are lots of cultural activities taking place during the day, including a chariot parade.
  4. Moscow, Russia
    Here is a beautiful view of the Ratha Yatra observance in Moscow, where nearly 200 devotees endured severe weather conditions of below zero degrees Fahrenheit and snowfall to pull the deities happily.
  5. Auckland, New Zealand
    A truly magnificent sight! Auckland, New Zealand celebrates Ratha Yatra, which is also highly praised in the beautiful city.The devotees dance energetically in front of the chariots, displaying their devotion to the gods. We can see from some of the best Ratha Yatra celebrations that Lord Jagannath is undoubtedly the supreme “Lord of the Universe”.

Conclusion

The Rath Yatra festival is over 500 years old and is revered as a religious event by people in Odisha. King Purushottam Deva was the ruler of the state at the time the festival was first held. The Jagannath Rath Yatra festival is a very important event celebrated with much pomp and excitement. The Jagannath Rath Yatra is an annual pilgrimage event in Puri, India. Millions of people come to worship Lord Jagannath at Puri Rath Yatra, an ancient festival that is highly respected by devotees of Lord Jagannath.
At this wonderful festival, the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and their sister Subadra are taken out of the Jagannath Temple each year to bless their followers. Apart from the initial celebration in the majestic city of Puri in Odisha, other events also took place in various parts of India. Ratha Yatra, a celebrated festival in many famous cities, is receiving worldwide acclaim. Also, there are numerous places to buy idols and figurines of Lord Krishna from shops or online to make it possible to do Ratha puja rituals at home.