Puri Rath Yatra Festival
Puri Rath Yatra of Orissa state in India on of the grand festival on earth which is a typical Indian fair of huge chariots processions. Puri Jagannatha Rath Yathra is the biggest religious Chariot Festival of India where Lord Jagannath, with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra who are the presiding deities of the Puri temple, are taken out from the temple in an elaborate ritual procession to their respective chariots every year during monsoon season in the month of July. This Ratha yathra festival is very much famous internationally.
The Rath Yatra festival is named with many different names such as Ghosa Jatra, Gundicha Jatra, Dasavatara Jatra, Navadina Jatra etc. The Puri Rath Yathra takes place with a prolonged ritual bath given to three deities—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on an open platform known as ‘Snana Bedi’ which allows everyone to observe it from the streets. This is called the Snana Yatra. Then they retire for 15 days popularly called the period of ‘Anabasara’ and remain in isolation.
During this period, no public worship is performed. After 15 days of isolation, the Gods are taken out of the temple in a colourful procession to board their respective Chariots and thereafter begins the journey known as Ratha Yatra. The chariots are huge, colorfully decorated are drawn by thousands of devotees on the bada danda, the grand avenue to the Gundicha temple. And Nine days later, the journey is repeated in the opposite direction, the deities return to their abode in Srimandira.
Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra, the chariot of Lord Jagannath is known as ‘Nandighose’ which is about 23 cubits high and has 18 wheels. The chariot of deity Balabhadra known as Taladwaja is about 22 cubits high with 16 wheels and the chariot of Devi Subhadra is known as Devadalan, is about 21 cubits high with 14 wheels. These chariots are made anew every year in accordance with strict and ancient specifications. The Hindus believe that Jagannatha is an incarnation of Vishnu who has four arms represents Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshana Vishnu’s four arms.
It is believed that by pulling these three chariots, or even a touch of the chariot or even the ropes is itself a sanctity of the festival that rides away several pious deeds or penance for ages. And is also believed that the chariot, the wheels, the grand avenue all become one with Lord Jagannatha himself on this occasion of Rath Yatra.
Legends of Puri Rath Yatra:
Since from ancient times there are many legends associated with Rath Yatra festival celebrations. According to Puranas, it is believed that lord Jagannatha have expressed his desire to visit his birthplace every year for a week and thus the deities are taken to the Gundicha Mandir every year during monsoon.
Another legend is when Devi Subhadra sister of Lord Krishna wished to visit Dwarka, her parent’s home, and her brothers lord Jagganath and Balram took her there on this day on chariot, thus the Yatra is celebrated in a honor of that visit.
According to the Bhagavad Purana, it is believed that the maternal uncle of Lord Krishna Kamsa has invited Krishna and Balram to Mathura on this day with an intention of killing them. The evil Kamsa sent Akrur with a chariot to Gokul. Lord Krishna and Balram climbed onto the chariot with Akrur, taking leave of the Gopis to proceed to Mathura. This day of departure is celebrated by the devotees as Rath Yatra.
On this Puri Rath Yathra only Chandravanshi dynasty the same as Krishna kings, the King of Puri and the King of Nepal are allowed to touch the idols. First the kings sweeps the chariots with a golden broom and sprinkles holy water on them and then the teeming pilgrims line up and pull the chariot.