Jagannath Puri rathyatra festival
The Jagannath Puri Rathyatra festival is one of the most significant and eagerly awaited events in the city of Puri, Odisha. It is a religious procession that celebrates the journey of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and their sister Subhadra to the Gundicha Temple. The festival is also known as the Chariot Festival and is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm by devotees from all over the world.
Highlights of Jagannath Puri rathyatra festival
The main highlight of the festival is the grand procession of the three deities on elaborately decorated chariots. The chariots, called ‘rathas,’ are pulled by thousands of devotees through the streets of Puri to the Gundicha Temple. The entire city comes alive with the sound of devotional songs, beating of drums, and the chanting of prayers.
Significance of Jagannath Puri rathyatra festival
The festival holds immense significance as it symbolizes the journey of the deities from their temple to the place of their aunt, Gundicha. It is believed that anyone who gets the opportunity to pull the ropes of the chariot earns the blessings of Lord Jagannath and is freed from the cycle of birth and death.
The festival also attracts a large number of tourists and visitors who come to witness the grandeur and spiritual fervor of the event. The entire city is adorned with colorful decorations, and the air is filled with the aroma of incense and flowers.
The Jagannath Puri Rathyatra festival is not just a cultural extravaganza but also a deeply spiritual and transformative experience for the devotees. It is a time when people come together to celebrate the divine journey of Lord Jagannath and seek blessings for prosperity and well-being.
Day by Day schedule of Jagannath Puri rathyatra festival
The Jagannath Puri Rathyatra festival spans over several days and follows a specific schedule. The festival begins with the Snan Yatra, also known as the Bathing Ceremony.
Snan Yatra
The Snan Yatra, also known as the Bathing Ceremony, marks the beginning of the Jagannath Puri Rathyatra festival. During this ritual, the three deities are brought to a platform called the Snan Bedi where they are bathed and decorated with new clothes. The deities are then placed in a special temporary abode for a period of quarantine known as Ansara Ghar. During this time, devotees are not allowed to have the darshan (sight) of the deities, as it is believed that after the grand bathing ceremony, the deities fall ill and need time to recuperate.
Gundicha Yatra
The next significant event in the festival is the Gundicha Yatra, which marks the journey of the deities from the main temple to the Gundicha Temple. The deities are placed in their respective chariots, and amidst the chanting of hymns and the music of traditional instruments, the chariots are pulled by thousands of devotees towards the Gundicha Temple.
Hera Panchami
The festival also includes the Hera Panchami ritual, where Goddess Lakshmi, upset over Lord Jagannath’s visit to his aunt’s house, sets out to find him. She is traditionally stopped by Subhadra and a ritualistic exchange takes place between the two deities.
Bahuda Yatra
The return journey of the deities from the Gundicha Temple to the main temple is known as the Bahuda Yatra. The chariots are pulled back to the Shri Mandir amidst a jubilant atmosphere and the streets are lined with throngs of devotees who eagerly await the arrival of the deities.
The festival culminates with the ‘Sunabesa’ ritual, where the deities are adorned with golden attire and jewels as they give darshan to the devotees. The festival draws to a close with the ‘Niladri Bije’ ritual, where the deities re-enter the main temple. This marks the end of the grand and sacred Jagannath Puri Rathyatra festival.