One of India’s grandest, most joyous, and most revered festivals is the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri. Individuals rush to Puri in millions to have the darshan of Ruler Jagannath and get a single chance to contact the Rath with their hands or assist with sending the Rath. It is said that devotees and those who help carry the Rath or touch it once earn great “Punya.” Unity and devotion are exemplified by the chariot procession, in which devotees pull elaborate chariots through the streets of Puri.
Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024
The journey that Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra make from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, their aunt’s (Mausi) temple, is known as the Rath Yatra. In Hindu culture, the Puri Rath Yatra 2024, which begins on July 7 during the Dwitiya Tithi of Ashadha, holds significant significance. Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra made the journey from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple during this annual festival in Puri, Odisha. It represents their familial visit and otherworldly revival.
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When Will Rath Yatra Start?
In 2024, Rath Yatra will start in Puri on 7 July, Sunday, and will happen for 9 days. Rooted in mythological lore, Rath Yatra highlights the cyclical nature of heavenly excursions and draws in millions looking for otherworldly purifying and satisfaction. It is a shining example of India’s extensive cultural heritage and the universal values of peace and faith.
Historical Roots of Rath Yatra
The Rath Yatra in Puri is said to have been going on since ancient times, as far back as the Puranas. To put it mildly, the Rath Yatra’s chariots are enormous and require months of preparation. They are adorned with the assistance of chiseling and cutting and are made perfectly as they become the chariots of three divinities for a really long time. The Rath Yatra is regarded as a recreation of Lord Jagannath’s trip to his maternal aunt’s house (Gundicha mandir), who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna.
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The Story of Lord Jagannath
When the Puri temple and Lord Jagannath’s idols are discussed, numerous mysteries and questions arise. From Lord Jagannath’s enormous eyes to the temple’s “Dhwaja,” or flag, which always flies in the opposite direction. Additionally, the fact that the idol only features Lord Jagannath’s face draws attention. This indicates that his body is incomplete as he sits. According to legend, when Vishwakarma was given the task of creating Jagannath ji’s idols, he stipulated that no one should disturb him or enter his room until the idols were finished. Yet, at some point, the Sovereign got inquisitive and opened the door.
The Rituals & Preparations
The Rath Yatra preparations begin months in advance. The intricate process of building the chariots calls for a lot of skilled artisans and craftsmen. The three chariots, one for Lord Jagannath, one for Balabhadra, and one for Devi Subhadra, are constructed from distinct kinds of wood each year. The largest is Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosa, followed by Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja and Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana. A number of rituals are carried out approximately fourteen days prior to the Rath Yatra. The Snana Yatra, in which 108 pots of water are used to bathe the gods, is one of the most well-known ones.
The Day of The Yatra
On the day of the Rath Yatra, Puri becomes one of India’s busiest cities, drawing devotees from all over the world to observe the trio. Puri is filled with celebrations, songs, and devotion, as well as the sweet faces of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. Between the recitation of hymns and the pounding of drums, the three of them are brought out of the Jagannath Temple’s sanctum sanctorum and mounted on their chariots. Although the distance between the Jagannath Temple and the Gundicha Temple is only three kilometers, devotees use ropes to pull the chariots, making the journey take hours.
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More Than Just A Religious Procession
The annual religious festival or procession known as the Rath Yatra is significantly larger and is held in much higher esteem by the public. People from all walks of life, locations, religions, and communities participate in the Rath Yatra. Seeing a brief look at the Rath Yatra can reassure anybody but loaded up with energy right away. The eyes of Ruler Jagannath give an inclination that he is disregarding everything and everybody can reassure the most incredibly disturbed hearts and to have the option to contact and forward the chariot resembles a blessing from heaven for some.
Final Words
The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra, perhaps of the most venerated celebration in Hinduism, is set to spellbind aficionados overall in 2024. Odisha’s coastal town of Puri hosts this grand chariot festival to commemorate Lord Jagannath’s journey from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple with his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.