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🌼 Ratha Yatra 🌼
॥ ॐ श्री परमात्मने नमः ॥
🚩 Ratha Yatra 2024 🚩
Significance of Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra:
Hindu mythology and culture place great importance on the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra. It is devoted to Lord Jagannath, who is revered as the universe’s ruler and as a manifestation of Lord Krishna. The celebration represents the pilgrimage of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple—their principal temple—to the Gundicha Temple.
Thousands of devotees witness the spectacle of the deities being paraded in specially made chariots known as Raths. It is said that drawing the chariots during the Rath Yatra atones for sins and bestows blessings. Among the believers, the celebration fosters spirituality, solidarity, and devotion.
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History of Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra:
Every year, the city of Puri in Odisha celebrates the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra. Its lengthy and rich history spans several centuries. The celebration is thought to have started when Devi Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath, expressed her want to travel to Puri. Lord Jagannath and his brother Lord Balabhadra set out to Puri on chariots to grant her wish. Ever since, the Rath Yatra has been observed annually in accordance with the Hindu calendar.
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Ratha Yatra Date and Timings:
- Ratha Yatra on Sunday, July 7, 2024
- Dwitiya Tithi Begins – 04:26 AM on Jul 07, 2024
- Dwitiya Tithi Ends – 04:59 AM on Jul 08, 2024
Rituals and Procession of Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra
The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra involves various rituals and a grand procession. Here are the key steps in the celebration:
- Chariot Construction: The chariots for Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are made of wood and exquisitely ornamented by talented craftspeople prior to the celebration.
- Chhera Pahanra: The King of Puri, Gajapati Maharaja, washes the chariots with a golden broom on the day of the Rath Yatra and gives prayers. This custom represents the king’s meek devotion to Lord Jagannath.
- Pulling the Chariots: Large crowds of devotees assemble to pull the chariots with ropes. Being able to pull the chariots is regarded as an honor and a sign of dedication. About three kilometers separate the Jagannath Temple from the Gundicha Temple, where the chariots are pulled.
- Stay at Gundicha Temple: Following their arrival in the Gundicha Temple, Devi Subhadra, Lord Jagannath, and Lord Balabhadra spend eight days there. The temple is visited by devotees who make prayers and requests for blessings.
- Bahuda Yatra: The gods return to the Jagannath Temple on the eighth day, which is referred to as the Bahuda Yatra. The Rath Yatra festival comes to an end when the chariots are dragged back to where they started.
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Lord Vishnu Shlokas and Mantras:
🔹विष्णु जी का दुर्लभ मंत्र 🔹
ॐ ह्रीं कार्तविर्यार्जुनो नाम राजा बाहु सहस्त्रवान।
यस्य स्मरेण मात्रेण ह्रतं नष्टं च लभ्यते।।
om hrim kartaviryaarjuno nam raja bahu sahastravan।
yasya smaren matren hratam nashtam ch labhyate।।
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🔹विष्णु मूल मंत्र🔹
ॐ नमोः नारायणाय॥
om namoh narayanay
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🔹विष्णु गायत्री मंत्र 🔹
ॐ श्री विष्णवे च विद्महे वासुदेवाय धीमहि।
तन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात्॥
om shri vishnave ch vidmahe vasudevay dhimahi।
tanno vishnuh prachodayat॥
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Key Points About Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra:
- The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra, sometimes referred to as the Gundicha Yatra or the Chariot Festival, is an annual event held in Puri, Odisha.
- Together with his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, the celebration is devoted to Lord Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe and a manifestation of Lord Krishna.
- During the Rath Yatra, the gods are transported in a magnificent procession called Raths from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
- The festival is said to have started when Devi Subhadra said she wanted to visit Puri and Lord Jagannath agreed to grant her request by setting off on a chariot ride.
- An important occasion that showcases Odisha’s rich customs and cultural legacy is the Rath Yatra.
- The celebration, which lasts for many days, takes place in June or July.
- It is believed that pulling the chariots is a sign of devotion and a means of asking for benefits. Throughout the parade, thousands of devotees pull the chariots.
- As a sign of his humble service to Lord Jagannath, the King of Puri, Gajapati Maharaja, sweeps the chariots with a golden broom during the Chhera Pahanra rite.
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