Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023: People Gather in Large Numbers in Puri, Odisha to Take Part in Festival

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023: The Jagannath Rath Yatra, or the Festival of Chariots, is one of the most ancient and grand religious events in India. Every year, millions of devotees flock to the holy city of Puri in Odisha to witness and participate in this spectacular celebration of faith and devotion. The festival commemorates the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe, and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, from their abode in the Jagannath Temple to their aunt’s home at the Gundicha Temple.

The History and Significance of the Festival

According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Jagannath is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the supreme god of protection and preservation. He is worshipped along with his brother Balabhadra, who represents strength and courage, and his sister Subhadra, who symbolizes love and compassion. The three deities are revered as the holy trinity of Puri and are believed to fulfill the wishes of their devotees.

The origin of the Rath Yatra dates back to ancient times, when Devi Subhadra expressed her desire to visit her birthplace in Puri. To fulfill her wish, Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra decided to accompany her on a chariot ride to Puri. This event is celebrated every year as the Rath Yatra, which means “chariot journey” in Sanskrit.

The Rath Yatra is also known as the Gundicha Yatra, after the name of the Gundicha Temple, where the deities stay for nine days during their visit. The temple is said to be the home of their aunt, Queen Gundicha, who was a devout devotee of Lord Jagannath. The temple is also called the “Garden House” or “Sri Mandir”, as it is surrounded by a beautiful garden.

The festival is considered to be a symbol of universal brotherhood and harmony, as people from all walks of life, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion, join hands to pull the chariots of the deities. It is believed that by doing so, one can attain salvation and divine blessings. The festival also showcases the rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions of Odisha.

The Highlights of the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023 Festival

The Rath Yatra begins on the second day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Ashadha, which usually falls in June or July. This year, the festival started on 20 June 2023 and will end on 28 June 2023.

The main attraction of the festival is the three majestic chariots that carry the deities from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. The chariots are built anew every year by skilled carpenters (Maharanas) using wood from specified trees. The chariots are decorated with colorful fabrics, paintings, flags, and flowers. Each chariot has its own name, color, size, shape, number of wheels, guardian deity, and charioteer.

• Lord Jagannath’s chariot is called Nandighosha or Garudadhwaja. It is red and yellow in color and has 16 wheels. It is 45 feet high and has Garuda (the eagle) as its guardian deity and Daruka as its charioteer.
• Lord Balabhadra’s chariot is called Taladhwaja or Langaladhwaja. It is green and red in color and has 14 wheels. It is 44 feet high and has Vasudeva (a form of Vishnu) as its guardian deity and Matali as its charioteer.
• Goddess Subhadra’s chariot is called Darpadalana or Padmadhwaja. It is black and red in color and has 12 wheels. It is 43 feet high and has Jayadurga (a form of Durga) as its guardian deity and Arjuna as its charioteer.

The chariots are pulled by thousands of devotees using thick ropes made of coconut fibers. The procession starts from the Jagannath Temple after a series of rituals and ceremonies. The most important ritual is the Pahandi, which involves carrying the deities from the sanctum sanctorum to their respective chariots in a ceremonial manner. The deities are adorned with special outfits and ornaments for this occasion.

The procession moves along a fixed route, covering a distance of about three kilometers. The devotees chant the names of the deities and sing devotional songs along the way. The chariots stop at various places for the darshan (viewing) of the public. The most significant stop is at the Mausi Maa Temple, where the deities are offered poda pitha, a special type of cake made of rice, coconut, and jaggery.

The chariots reach the Gundicha Temple by evening, where the deities are installed in their respective chambers. The deities stay there for nine days, during which they are worshipped and offered various delicacies. The temple premises are open to the public for darshan during this period.

The return journey of the deities from the Gundicha Temple to the Jagannath Temple is called Bahuda Yatra, which means “return journey” in Sanskrit. It takes place on the tenth day of the festival, which is also known as Dasami Tithi. The deities wear a different set of outfits and ornaments for this occasion, which are called Suna Besha or Raja Besha. The outfits are made of gold and silver and depict the deities as royal sovereigns.

On their way back, the chariots stop again at the Mausi Maa Temple, where the deities are offered rasagulla, a sweet dish made of cottage cheese and sugar syrup. This ritual is known as Rasagulla Bhoga and signifies the reconciliation of Lord Jagannath with his consort Goddess Lakshmi, who is said to be angry with him for leaving her behind at the Jagannath Temple.

The chariots reach the Jagannath Temple by night, where the deities are welcomed back with much fanfare and joy. The deities are then carried back to their original abode in the sanctum sanctorum in a ritual called Niladri Bije, which means “entry into the blue hill” in Sanskrit. The blue hill refers to the Neelachala Hill, on which the Jagannath Temple is situated.

With this, the Rath Yatra comes to an end, leaving behind a trail of memories and blessings for the devotees.

Conclusion

The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a unique festival that showcases the love and devotion of the people towards their beloved deities. It is a festival that transcends all barriers and unites everyone in a common bond of faith and spirituality. It is a festival that celebrates the glory and grace of Lord Jagannath, who is not only the Lord of Puri but also the Lord of the Universe.