Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra
Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra
Introduction:
The Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath, celebrated every year at Puri, is essentially to offer an opportunity to all people, regardless of their caste, creed, or religion, to have darshan of the Lord of the Universe. The Ratha Yatra? is the symbol of equality among all beings. Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is an ancient Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath (Krishna), his sister Subhadra, and brother Balabhadra. The festival is primarily celebrated in Puri, Odisha, but its popularity extends to other parts of India and the world.?It symbolizes the journey of the deities coming out of the temple to meet their devotees in person openly as they travel to the Gundicha Temple, which is their aunt's home.
History and Significance:
Mother Gundicha was the queen of King Indradyumna, who built this gigantic Temple at Puri Odisha. It is believed that Queen Gundicha requested the king to organize this festival, so that the sinners and the poor untouchables, who were not ordinarily allowed to enter the temple, might have Darshan of Lord Jagannath in His Ratha and thus attain salvation. Gundicha Yatra has been aptly named after Queen Gundicha. Gundicha House is at a distance of 3km from the Jagannath temple.
Significance of Rath Yatra:
Key events and schedule (2024):
Pre Rath Yatra Rituals:
1. Chariot Construction For Rath Yatra
Here are the three chariots of the Lordship:
These chariots are constructed newly each year by skilled artisans, a process that begins two months before the festival. The chariots are pulled by thousands of devotees using long ropes, an act considered highly auspicious.
2. Snana Purnima
The preparations for the Rath Yatra begin well in advance. One of the key rituals is Snana Purnima, which occurs a fortnight before the Yatra. On this day, the deities are given a ceremonial bath with 108 pots of purified water, marking the beginning of the festivities. After this ritual bath, the idols are kept in isolation for fifteen days, a period known as Anasara, as they fall ill and get a fever so they are quarantined and their personal treatment goes on resembling human sickness and recovery. This phase builds anticipation among the devotees, as the deities are not available for public viewing until the day of the Rath Yatra. During this period devotees can get darshan of Jagannath as Patidiyan (Pati Dians are worshipped as replicas of the trinity. The pattachitras are made on a piece of cloth. This cloth first gets a layer of paste made of Khadigunda (Chalk powder) and Tentulimanda gum. The height of each of these patis is 5 and half feet and the width is 4 and half feet.?). Lord Jagannath manifests in the form of Lord Alarnath for 15 days during the Anasara of deities at the Alarnath Mandira in Brahmagiri, which is about 23 km from Puri.
3. Netrotsava
The day before the Rath Yatra is marked by the ritual of Netrotsava, also known as the?"Festival of the Eyes."?During this ritual, the eyes of the deities are painted newly, symbolizing their recovery and readiness for the journey. This ceremony signifies the awakening of the gods and rejuvenates the devotees' spirits.
Rituals followed during Rath Yatra
1. Pahandi Bije
The Pahandi Bije is the grand procession where the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra are brought out of the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath Temple. Devotees and priests carry the deities amidst the chanting of hymns, beating of drums, and blowing of conch shells.
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2. Chehra Pahara: A Unique Ritual
One of the most significant rituals of the Ratha Yatra?is the Chehra Pahara. This ritual is performed by the?King of Puri, who is considered the Lord's foremost servitor. The king sweeps the chariots with a golden-handled broom and sprinkles sandalwood water, signifying humility and equality in the eyes of the divine. This act underscores the message that everyone, regardless of their social standing, is equal before Lord Jagannath.
In the Ratha Yatra, the three deities are taken from the Jagannath Temple in chariots to the Gundicha Temple, where they stay for nine days. Thereafter, the deities again ride the chariots back to Shri Mandir in Bahuda Yatra.
3.?Rath Pratishtha
The deities are then installed on their respective chariots in a ritual known as Rath Pratishtha.
4.?Pulling of the Chariots
The highlight of the day is the pulling of the chariots. Devotees gather in large numbers to pull the massive chariots through the streets of Puri. The journey from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple covers about 3 kilometers. Devotees believe that pulling the chariots brings them closer to the deities and earns them divine blessings.
5.?Journey to Gundicha Temple
The chariots are pulled to the Gundicha Temple, which is considered the deities’ aunt’s house. The deities stay here for nine days, during which various rituals and festivities continue.
6.?Maha Prasad
Maha Prasad, the holy food offering, plays a vital role in the celebrations. It is distributed among the devotees, symbolizing the blessings of Lord Jagannath. Consuming this prasad is considered highly auspicious.
7.?Evening Aarti and Darshan
In the evening, after the deities are settled in their respective places at the Gundicha Temple, an aarti is performed. Devotees then get the opportunity for darshan or viewing of the deities.
8. Hera Panchami:
Hera Panchami is one of the mysterious and exciting rituals during Ratha yatra. The ritual is performed on the fifth day of Ratha Jatra when Lord Jagannath along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan visits Gundicha temple on chariots.
As Goddess Lakshmi is exempted from traveling with Lord Jagannath to the Gundicha Temple on the nine-day trip, she gets angry with Her husband. Goddess Lakshmi secretly visits Gundicha Temple to have a glimpse of the Lord.
As Lord Jagannath stays at Gundicha Temple along with his siblings and is surrounded by devotees inside the shrine, He never gets a chance to meet His wife.
As Goddess Lakshmi does not get enough time to have the darshan of Lord Jagannath due to the evening rituals of deities, she gets angry and breaks a part of Nandhighosha's chariot while returning to Srimandir.
As the Goddess feels guilty of breaking a part of Nandighosha chariot, she returns to Srimandir via the Gohiri Sahi route without any procession, said a servitor.
9. Bahuda Jatra (Return journey of deities)
Bahuda Yatra is?the Return Journey of the holy trinity on their three chariots to Srimandir. After spending a week inside the Gundicha temple, the deities commence their Bahuda Yatra on the 10th day.During the return journey of these chariots, they stop for a while at the Mausima Temple. Mausima is also known as the Ardhasani temple which is dedicated to the aunt of Lord Jagannath. In this temple, the deities are offered ‘Poda Pitha’, a sweet made of coconut, rice jaggery and lentils. After spending some time in Mausima temple, the deities start their further journey to the main temple. The chariot of Subhadra and Balabhadra moves forward and parked at Singa dwara ( Lion’s gate) whereas the chariot of Jagannath takes a halt in front of King’s Palace.
10. Suna Besha (Golden attire of the deities)
Suna Besha is also known as Rajadhiraja Besha, Raja Besha, and Rajarajeshwara Besha. This is a festival when the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are adorned with gold. It is observed on the day after the return of the Deities from Gundicha Temple, on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi Tithi.
11. Adhara Pana
Adhara Pana is offered after Madhyahna Dhupa (noon meal), which is followed by Sodasha Upachara Puja (16 types of worship).
During the ritual, the terracotta pots are placed on each chariot parked near the Lion Gate. These reach up to the Lord’s lips.
The pots contain 100 liters of a mixture of milk cream, cheese, sugar, banana, camphor, nutmeg, black pepper, and other such spices. These are then broken to liberate the souls/spirits and the Gods and Goddesses, who stayed on the chariots during Rath Yatra to guard Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra. The huge pots are prepared by the potters of Kumbharpada. Servitors serve the pana in nine cylindrical pots.
12. Niladri Bije
Niladri Bije is the last ritual of Rath Yatra that falls on the Asadha Shukla Paksha Trayodashi tithi.? One by one, the deities are taken inside the main temple, via Jay Vijaya entrance,??after Lord Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra enter the temple, Goddess Lakshmi closes the main door of the temple. Mata Laxmi does not allow sri Jagannath to enter the temple premises in retaliation for not letting her accompany him to Gundicha Temple. Lord Jagannath offers Rasogulla to goddess Laxmi to enter the temple. The reconciliation of the Divine couple happens on a sweet note. This is called ‘Manabhanjana. After the Rasagolla offering ritual, Shri Jagannatha proceeds to the Ratna Singhasana in the sanctum sanctorum.
Conclusion:
The Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath stands as a testament to India's cultural and spiritual tapestry, promoting unity, devotion, and community cohesion. It exemplifies the enduring traditions that celebrate the divine presence and inclusivity, enriching the lives of millions worldwide.