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About Rath Yatra

One of India’s biggest religious festivals, the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra, begins on Thursday. This festival is special because three Hindu gods come out of their temples in a beautiful way to meet their worshippers. BBC reporter Priyanka Pathak explains the history behind the event and its importance.

The largest of these processes takes place in Puri in the eastern state of Orissa, while the other takes place in the western state of Gujarat. Considered the world’s oldest Rath Yatra or chariot, this festival celebrates the annual procession of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and his younger sister Subhadra through from their temple to another temple, which is located in a place believed to be their aunt’s place.

This journey is recorded in the timeless Hindu scriptures known as the Puranas, which are believed to have been written thousands of years ago.

History of Rath Yatra in Puri

The history of Rath Yatra goes back more than 5,000 years in Jagannath Puri; beautiful city in Odisha. It is believed that in order to kill Krishna and Balram, their maternal uncle Kamsa asked them to visit Mathura. He also sent a chariot in which Krishna and Balram were sitting to Mathura.

There is a strong belief that Lord Krishna took human form on earth in Dwapara Yuga. It was midnight on the 8th of the month of Sravan. He performed a miracle and declared that he would live in Puri during Kali Yuga. Based on these facts, Puri gets the name of abode of Lord Jagannath, who is considered by the devotees as the lord of heaven and earth. So a beautiful temple was built for Lord Krishna in Puri from where the Rath Yatra started.

Where do celebrations take place?

Puri commemorates the Jagannath Rath Yatra with great festivity. Jharkhand and West Bengal are also celebrating.
Jagannath Temple was established by Chodaganga Deva of the Ganga dynasty in the 12th century AD and is the home of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.

Non-Hindus and foreign devotees, who are not allowed, are allowed to enter the Jagannath temple during the festival.

Rath Yatra on world map

This festival has become a common sight in many cities around the world since 1968 thanks to the ISKCON Hare Krishna movement.
It is said that some famous Rath Yatra events will be held in Singapore, Moscow, Kuala Lumpur, New York, London and Dhamrai in Bangladesh. Interestingly, the western impression of Puri’s Jagannath Ratha Yatra as a display of unstoppable power is the origin of the English word “juggernaut”.

Jagannath Rath Yatra: Significance

As followers of Lord Jagannatha gather to seek his blessings on this auspicious occasion, these 11 days of celebration are very important to them. These three idols are brought to the famous Gundicha shrine during the yatra and are kept for some time before the pilgrims bring them back to the main temple. Padma Purana, Brahma Purana and Skanda Purana are some examples of Hindu scriptures where the story of Jagannath Rath Yatra can be easily traced. The history of Yatra dates back to the 12th century. According to legend, Lord Jagannath, Lord Krishna or the Lord of the Universe chose the day when the Yatra began as his day to visit the Gundicha temple. However, he brought his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra with him when he went there. Hence, that day is now remembered every year as the day Lord Krishna left for his journey.

Jagannath Rath Yatra: Celebration

The installation of sturdy chariots for each of the three deities marks the beginning of the Yatra. Lord Jagannath’s chariot is called Nandighosha, Lord Balabhadra’s chariot is Taladhwaja and Goddess Subhadra’s chariot is called Darpadalan. As a sign of their devotion to the gods, a group of worshipers pulled each of the three chariots.