Rath Yatra: A Divine Journey of Mahaprabhu Jagannatha
Shri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra or Ratha Yatra, as it is commonly known is an annual festival of Sanatan Hindus when Shri Jagannatha along with his two siblings Shri Balabhadra (elder brother) and Devi Subhadra (younger sister), take a divine journey on the streets of Puri. It is believed, every year, during this time, all 3 siblings visit their mausi maa’s (aunt) place, Gundicha Mandir, which is about 3 km from Shrimandir, the main temple of Shri Jagannatha. This entire journey, starting from Shrimandir, to Gundicha Mandir, and returning to Shrimandir takes about 9 to 10 days, during which the entire city is immersed in a spiritual and festive mood. With bhajans, dances, chants, clubbed with shankhanaad, drumbeats, trumpets and other instruments, the enthusiasm of devotees at Ratha Yatra is simply euphoric.
If seen broadly, Shri Jagannath Ratha Yatra is a month-long festival that starts from the day when artisans start building the 3 Rathas (chariots) for the 3 deities, and many other artisans get into various other activities to prepare the temple complex for one of the most festive days of the year. Every year the Rathas are built with fresh wood. The entire city of Puri becomes a place of attraction for not only devotees but also tourists who come from all over the world. Shri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra is the largest religious congregation of human beings seen anywhere in the world, in which 10s of lakhs of devotees throng the city just to have a glimpse of the Supreme Master of the Universe. It is the most famous festival of Odisha, and it brings an ocean of devotees to one place to express their love, respect, devotion and veneration for their Supreme Master, Shri Jagannatha.
This year, Rath Yatra was celebrated on 20 June 2023 in Puri (Odisha) and various parts of the country, when Rathas of our Mahaprabhu rolled out on the streets, pulled by devotees in much enthusiasm. The occasion is even more precious and overwhelming because Shri Jagannatha is the only deity who comes out of his abode in Shrimandir once a year around this time to meet and bless his devotees on the streets.
Before the most awaited day of the Rath Yatra, the artisans meticulously work on building the Rathas and decorating the mandir and the surrounding area, and it is almost a month-long affair.
One of the most awaited annual festivals of Hindus since time immemorial, Rath Yatra is also called Dasavatara, Navadina Yatra and Puri Car Festival. Jagannatha Puri Ratha Yatra is the oldest Rath yatra in the world and you can see people from all castes, creeds, communities and religions coming to be a part of this grand festival. On this day, no matter who you are and from which part of the world you are, even if you are a non-Hindu and foreign devotee, you can visit the Jagannath Yatra, be a part of it and catch a glimpse of deities, which are otherwise prohibited in the temple.
The celebration starts on the second day of the Shukla Paksha. This 9-day festival commences with the Rath Yatra and concludes on the ninth day with a return journey – Bahuda Jatra, the journey to Mausi Maa’s Temple (Gundicha Temple). Before the Yatra starts, the idols of all three deities are bathed in 109 buckets of water, known as the Puri Snana Yatra, or Snana Purnima. After this, the Deities are kept in isolation for 15 days, which is away from public view, This period, known as ‘Anasara’ or ‘Anavasara’, begins from Jyestha Purnima and ends with Ashadha Amavasya. Devotees in huge numbers participate in the holy procession of Puri Snana Yatra, making the occasion truly divine.
On the first day of the yatra, the Raths of all three deities are pulled by devotees to the Gundicha Temple, through the streets of Badadanda in Puri. They stay there for the next seven days and on the ninth day, they return to Shrimandir, the main temple of Jagannath Puri Dham. The festival ends with various rituals, amid the magnificent participation of devotees from everywhere.
What Scriptures Say About Shri Jagannatha Puri Ratha Yatra
As mentioned in the Skanda Puran, among the 12 Yatras of Mahaprabhu Jagannatha, Shri Jagannatha Rath Yatra, or Shri Gundicha Yatra, is considered to be the most widely celebrated one.
Bamadeva Samhita says all those who are fortunate to witness the four deities (Sudarshan, Shri Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Shri Jagannatha) on the Simhasana (the most sacred seats of the deities) of Gundicha Mandir for one week, they and their ancestors will find a place in the Vaikuntha Dham (the heavenly abode of Shri Vishnu) forever. It also says devotees who get a chance to hear about this great Yatra of Shri Jagannath will also see some of their desires fulfilled. And, devotees who just read the rituals and make others aware of the festival and rituals, also find a place in the Vaikuntha Dham on the feet of Shri Vishnu.
From the above two mentions, we can understand the significance of the Ratha Yatra for Sanatan Hindus.
Events and Rituals at Shri Jagannatha Dham, Puri
- Shri Gundicha Yatra
- Chhera Panhara
- Pulling of Chariot
- Hera Panchami
- Sandhya Darshan
- Bahuda Yatra
- Suna Besha
- Adhara Pana
- Niladri Bije
Devotees from every part of the world reach Jagannath Dham on this auspicious occasion only to pull the Ratha and take a glimpse of their beloved deity. It is believed, that by just touching the rope of the Rathas, you can absolve yourself from all the sins of all your past and present birth. He is Jaagnnatha, meaning ‘he is the Naath of this entire Jagat’ (Supreme Master of this Universe).
To learn more about the significance of Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra, talk to our pandits here.
