Ratha Yatra of Puri: Comprehensive
Guide on Ratha Yatra of Puri (Ratha Jatra)
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| Ratha Yatra Chariot |
It is that time of the
year when millions of devotees gather in unison for Ratha YatraRatha Yatra of Puri (Ratha
Jatra). This is the most popular and ancient Hindu festival that gathers all
Hindu pilgrims from across India and beyond. Ratha Yatra is marked by the use
of Chariots and is celebrated annually in the bright half of the lunar month
(Ashadh)
This falls in the month
of June-July and the celebrations are conducted in the great city of Puri on
Odisha. Ratha Yatra is highly associated with Jagannath who is a special form
of Vishnu/Krishna. The incredible
festivals take place in Jagannath temple attracting numerous numbers.
Special
occurrences at Ratha Yatra Festivals Jagannath Temple
With the numerous
gatherings, the festivals are occasion by three divinities:
·
Jagannath
·
Balabhadra (brother)
·
Subhadra (sister)
Devotees carry the
deities on massive wooden chariots through Grand Avenue or Bada Danda. They
walk to Gundicha Temple and stay at the temple for one week. After the period
pilgrims ferry back the divinities to Jagannath temple. The back and forth trip
is called Bahuda Yathra along the way Jagannath, Nandighosa chariot passes at
the Bhakta Salabega crematorium who is a Muslim devotee. Here devotees and the deity pay their
tributes before embarking on the trip.
The three deities also
stop at Mausi Maa Temple (Aunt’s Abode) where an offering of the Poda Pitha is
undertaken. Poda Pitha is a unique pancake baked for the deities which is
considered their specialty.
Festival
chariots
The chariots are designed
every year to host the Ratha Yatra festivals. The wood is derived from strong
trees such as Phassi and Dhausa. The chariots
are built by experts to ensure they withstand the whole religious session.
Specialized carpenters hold hereditary rights meaning not just anyone who is
selected. After building the chariots the builders decorate based on the
instructions and ancient prescriptions.
Reasons
for Ratha Yatra Festivals
The special Ratha Yatra
Ratha Yatrais celebrated annually to honor Lord Jagannath's wish to visit Mathura his
birth location. The whole occasion helps
devotees to be free from different issues from birth to death by celebrating
the festival. Incredible Muslims also per take the festivals making it a unique
ritual for all.
Ordained priests perform
all rituals like Snana Purnima. Here the idols are bathed with water amounting
to 109 buckets of water. After the bath, the deities are isolated until the
particular Ratha Yatra date. The bathing occasion is referred to as Ansara.
Odisha Royal successor does the Chera Pahara and the King carries the deities
and settles them on the chariots.
How
to reach to Jagannath Puri Odisha
Devotees seeking to
attend the amazing Ratha Yatra of Puri can use different transport means/modes
as shown:
·
Road
Puri Odisha has great
road connections, and there are public and private bus services. One can
connect from Puri to Cuttack or Bhubaneswar which is quite near the temple.
Devotees can also utilize the direct buses from Visakhapatnam and Kolkata. The
city has very convenient taxi services.
·
Air
Air transportation is
available in Odisha with the Biju Patnaik Airport within Puri City. The
distance is just 60Km making it easy to connect by Taxi or bus.
·
Rail
Besides the amazing
roads, Puri also has a rail connection. Pilgrims can use the direct express for
a fast connection to Puri.
2024
Ratha Yatra dates
The 9-day religious
occasion will take place on 7th July 2024. Devotees can prepare in
advance to ensure they don’t miss the gracious ceremonies. One can book their
accommodation to ensure they avail a slot.
Jagannath
Meaning (“Lord of the Universe)
The word Jagannath is a
combination of two words:
- · Jagat/Jagan: which means the universe
- · Nath: meaning the Lord/master
It’s also believed that
Dina Krishna Joshi confirmed the word Jagannath is derived from Kittung. This
the tribe of Savaras/Sora people. In the
ancient days, many people settled in the Sora tribe's lands and locations. Most
languages were developed from tribe thus emerging the Jagannath word. However,
there are different stories about the word, with many believing Kittung
phonetics doesn't rhyme with Jagannath.
Jagannath
History
Lord Jagannath who is an
incarnation of Lord Vishnu/Krishna holds a great history. His idol is designed
in wooden material (Daru Brahma). It is believed Lord Vishnu's avatar (Lord
Narasimha) came from a wooden pillar. Lord Jagannath is worshiped through
Narasimha Hymns.
Lord Vishnu in the form
of Vamana is also worshiped in Jagannath Bhadra during the month of August and
September. In this season Tulsidas
worshipped Lord Rama and later went to Puri to worship Lord Jagannath as Rama.
The primary aim of Lord
Jagannath worship by the Tantric sect is:
- · He is an icon who has geometric patterns
- · Mandalas
- · He aligns with the Tantric worshipping patterns.
Shaktas and Shaivities
recognize Lord Jagannath as Bhairava who is Lord Shiva and his consort goddess
Vimala. The Jagannath temple also hosts
priests from Shakta. By the Sage Markandeya Lord Shiva and Jagannath, they are
the same.
FAQs
- 1. What is the main reason for celebrating the Ratha Yatra?
This is a special
festival for Hindu devotees as it helps cleanse and free their sins (unknown or
known) from birth to death.
- 2. What happens during the Ratha Yatra festivals?
As devotees prepare for
the Ratha Yatra celebration three chariots are made to carry Lord Jagannath,
Lord Balabhadra, and Lord Subhadra. The divinities are carried to Gundicha
temple from The Jagannath temple. A
special ritual (Snana Purnima) is performed by the priest where 109 buckets of
water are used to bathe the deities (Ansara).
- 3. When will the Ratha Yatra happen in 2024?
Ratha Yatra is expected
to take place on 7th July 2024
- 4. Ratha Yatra ticket booking?
There are no tickets for
the Ratha Yatra celebration. Pilgrims can only book travel or accommodation
tickets for their preparation.
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