Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023: All you need to know about the Festival of Chariots

Also known as the 'Festival of Chariots', this occasion begins in the month of Ashadha. This year, the festival commenced on June 20 in Puri, Odisha and will culminate on June 28.

146th Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra procession pass through Dal Ni Pol in Ahmedabad. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

One of India’s biggest religious festivals, the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is here and the celebrations are in full swing. Also known as the ‘Festival of Chariots’, this occasion begins in the month of Ashadha. This year, the festival commenced on June 20 in Puri, Odisha, and will culminate on June 28.

The festival signifies the annual visit of Lord Jagannath, Balaram, and Subhadra to the Gundicha temple in Odisha. Every year, the Rath Yatra takes place for nine days and is known as the biggest chariot procession globally.

History

The festival signifies the annual visit of Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra to the Gundicha temple in Odisha. (Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)

As per the holy Hindu scriptures–Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana, and Kapila Samhita–the sister of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra, was said to have wished to travel to Puri. To fulfill Devi Subhadra’s wish, Lord Jagannath and his elder brother Lord Balabhadra drove a chariot to Puri.

The pilgrimage from their home temple to another temple, which is believed to be their aunt’s home, has been symbolised by this festival.

Significance

The three chariots carrying the deities are built and embellished in preparation to begin the yatra and are constructed by expert carpenters known as ‘Maharana’. (Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)

This is the only festival in the world where deities are taken out of temples to travel to devotees.

The deities’ raths arrive at the Gundicha temple on the first day of the procession and stay there for the following days. They go back to the Jagannath temple on the ninth day.

The three chariots carrying the deities are built and embellished in preparation to begin the yatra, and are constructed by expert carpenters known as ‘Maharana’. Each of the chariots has its own name. While Lord Jagannath’s chariot is called Nandighosh, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra’s chariots are named Taladhwaja and Darpadalana respectively. These raths are carried by devotees and it is believed that being part of these celebrations brings prosperity and fulfillment of desires.

Lord Jagannath is considered the ‘Lord of the Universe’ according to Hindu scriptures. He is considered an avatar of Lord Vishnu and is deeply revered by the followers of Vaishnavism. Meanwhile, Jagannath temple is one of the four Hindu pilgrimage centers known as Char Dham, which Hindus are expected to visit in their lifetime.

ALSO READ | Char Dham Yatra: Things to keep in mind if you plan to go on the pilgrimage

Important days

Jagannath Rath Yatra organised at Ghatkopar in Mumbai. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

*First day: The holy chariot procession’s journey toward Gundicha temple commences.
*Second day: The gods reside in the temple and the occasion is known as Hera Panchami.
*Third day: The devotees offer prayer to the deities during Sandhya Darshan.
*Fourth day: The deities return back home during Bahuda Yatra.
*Fifth day: The chariots stay outside the Jagannath Temple and are adorned with gold jewellery during Sunabesa.
*Sixth day: A special drink is offered to the chariots during Aadhar Pana.
*Seventh day: It marks the end of the holy procession with a special ritual called Niladri Bije.