Jagannath Ratha Yatra

Jagannath Ratha Yatra

Rath Yatra is a Chariot Festival which is celebrated on Ashadha shukla paksha dwitiya associated with Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra devi held at Puri in the state of Odisha, India. It is the oldest Rath Yatra taking place in India and the world as Lord Jagannath the God of Universe came out of his abode to give darshan to devotees, which is also describe in Brahma Purana, Padma Purana and skanda purana and Kapila samhita. This festival commemorates Jagannath's annual visit to Gundicha Temple where they stays for nine days and thereafter deities again ride the chariots back to Shri Mandir in Bahuda jatra.

                                

What are the six events which are considered to be as the key activities of this annual event?

 There are six events were as follows:

→ Snana Yatra where deities take bath and fell sick for almost 2 weeks. During that course of time they were treated with ayurvedic medicines and a set of traditional practices.

                                   

                                    

→ Sri Gundicha where deities are taken in the onward chariot festival from the main shrine to Gundicha temple. 

                                     

→Bahuda Yatra where chariot return and Lords are brought back to the main temple.

                          

→Suna Besha (Golden Attire) is the event when the deities wear golden ornaments and give darshan from the chariots to the devotees.

                          

→ Adhara Pana is an important event during ratha yatra on this day sweet drink is offered to the invisible spirits and soul who would have visited the celestial event of the lord.                       

→ Finally the deities are taken back inside the main shrine Jagannath Temple and placed on the Ratna Simhasan on last day of Ratha Yatra known as Niladri Bije.

                                   

What kinds of chariots used during Ratha Yatra?

The three Chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra devi are newly constructed every year with wood of specified trees like Phassi, Dhausa etc. They are decorated as per the unique scheme prescribed and followed for centuries stand on the Bada Danda the grand avenue.

Lord Jagannath's Chariot- Name of Lord Jagannath's chariot is Nandighosha or Garudadhwaja or Kapiladhwaja which consist 16 wheels along with red and yellow color canopies since yellow color is associated with Lord Vishnu.With guardian Garuda and charioteer Daruka. The flag name of chariot is Trailokyamohini. The chariot is equipped with 4 white horses along with nine parshvadevata (Panchamukhi Mahabir, Harihara, Madhusudana, Giridhar, Pandu Narasingha, Chitamani Krishna, Narayana, Chatra Bhanga Rabana (Rama) and Rama seated on Hanuman) and Accompanying deity Madanmohan.

                                               

Subhadra Devi's chariot- Name of Subhadra Devi's chariot is Darpadalana or Devadalana or Padmadhwaja which consist 12 wheels along with red and Black color canopies since Black color is associated with Goddess.With guardian Jayadurga and charioteer Arjuna. The flag name of chariot is Nadambika. The chariot is equipped with 4 red horses along with nine parshvadevata (Chandi, Chamunda, Ugratara, Banadurga, Shulidurga, Varahi, Shyamakali, Mangala, Vimala) and Accompanying deity Sudarshana.

                                             

                                                  

Lord Balabhadra's Chariot-Name of Lord Balabhadra's chariot is Taladhwaja or Langaladhwaja which consist 14 wheels along with red and Bluish green color canopies. With guardian Vasudev and charioteer Matali. The flag name of chariot is Unnani. The chariot is equipped with 4 Black horses along with nine parshvadevata (Ganesha, Kartikeya, Sarvamangala, Pralambari, Halayudha, Mrityunjaya, Muktesvara, Sheshadeva) and Accompanying deity Ramakrishna.

                                             

How Devotees Celebrates Jagannath Ratha Yatra?

During the annual event devotees from all over the world throng to puri with an earnest desire to help pulling the lord's chariots. they consider this as an auspicious act. Several people were seen celebrating the festival by playing drums, trumpets and singing devotional songs. There are traditional dances and performances every year that make this procession a very vibrant affair.

                 

Which chariot reaches Lion's gate first?

The first Chariot to reach Lion's gate is Nandighosa followed by Devadala and at last Taladhwaja amid thousands of devotees who have already begun to swarm the pilgrim city ahead of the mega festival.

                                          

What is the significance of Ratha Yatra?

Jagannath Yatra is a 462 year old tradition it is believed that the one who becomes the part of Rath Yatra get rid of his sins and gets merit of several penances.