The biggest and the grandest of all
festivals, the highlight is the the sacred journey of images of lord
jagannath of puri with brother balabhadra and sister subhadra from main
temple to Gundicha Temple, where they remain for nine days. The mammoth
wooden chariots carrying the three deities pulled by thousands of
devotees present a spectacular scene. The yatra (journey) begins on the
second day of the lunar month (asadha).
The rath yatra is also known as car festival. An annual festival
commemorates the journey of Krishna from gokul to mathura.It also
symbolizes a journey to light from the dark, which commences on the 2nd
day of the bright fortnight in the month of Asadha (June/July). Lakhs of
devotees converge to the city to join festivities lasting for nine days.
In this journey, thousands haul the three huge rathas (chariots)
carrying images of jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister
Subhadra, down Grand road to the Gundicha Temple, just 2 km away in
puri, orissa.
Puri Rathy Yatra - the chariot festival of puri in orissa
India.In the first phase of the rituals, the Chandan Yatra, the Chalanti
Pratimas (moving images) of the deities take a ceremonial ride in a boat
in Narendra Tank for 21 consecutive days, after a refreshing bath in
fragrant sandal wood (chandan) scented water. This is followed by Snana
Yatra, Literally the festival of bath, in which the three are taken to
Snana Badi, a bathing platform where the deities are ceremonially bathed
with 108 pitchers of water. After which the gods are believed to
convalesce inside the sanctum sanctorum and undergo treatment in which
special ayurvedic medicine and some special liquid diet (sarapana) is
offered to them. Closed to public view, during this period of 15 days,
the pilgrims have to be satisfied with a darshan of images on the
Pattachitra paintings hanged there.
The Ratha Yatra in puri actually takes place during the full moon of
the following month, Asadha (June/July) in a spectacular riot of colour
and noise. Designed like a temple sanctuary the immense chariots are
draped with brightly coloured clothes. Lord Jagannath's chariot, 13 m,
is the tallest and has 16 wheels each 2 m in diameter. Subhadra has a
yellow face and rides in a red chariot. Balabhadra has a white face and
rides in a chariot with 14 wheels and 4 horses. Loud gongs announce the
boarding of the deities onto the chariots with the arrival of the Raja
of Puri accompanied by bejeweled elephants. The Raja sweeps the chariot
with a golden bloom, fulfilling his role as the sevaka (servant) of the
gods, a gesture symobolizing humility and equality with all castes. The
procession is led by Balabhadra's chariot, followed by Subhadra,s with
the Lord Jagannath's bringing up the rear, dragged by about 4000
honoured devotees to their garden house, the Gundicha Ghar. On the way
deities are treated to special Cake, Podapitha offered at the shrine of
goddess Aradhamsini (aunt or masi) of Lord Jagannath. Once the chariots
reach Gundicha Ghar of Mandir, the deities give darshan to devotees
every day. After a rest of 8 days, they return to Jagannath Temple with
a similar procession. The festivities attract about 5-6 lakhs devotees
to Puri each year. After the festival, the raths are broken and bits are
used for firewood in the kitchens or sold to pilgrims as relics. New
chariots are constructed each year to rigid specifications of make laid
down in temple's ancient manuals. The assembled multitudes from all over
India, the cacophony of music and percussion and the decorated chariots
provide an unforgettable experience. Stories from ancient times, about
some fanatics throwing themselves under the massive wheels of the
chariots to die a death in hope of attainment of eternal bliss, abound.
