Ratha Yatra-The world's most famous festival of Lord Jagannath Balabhadra&Subhadra in Puri Dham
RATHA YATRA AT PURI–is well known around the world, perhaps the largest secular nation in the world. With a variety of religions, languages, and a larger variety of regional cultures, India is home to a vibrancy of festivals celebrated by people across the country.
Billions of people of Indian faith in Hinduism, which they celebrate through various festivals nationally and regionally. One of India’s biggest Hindu festivals is” Jagannath Puri Ratha Yatra”.
The history of RathaYatra:-Chodagangadev (1078-1147) and Jajatikeshari shaped the temple into what it looks like today. The ancient temple of Jagannath in Puri stands in the area of 10 acres of land.
Its height is 214ft. from the ground level. At the top of the temple is an east-facing wheel named “Nelachakra”.Its height is 11 feet 8-inch diameter 7feet 6-inch thickness is 2 inches. The weight of Nilachakra is 15000 kg. And it is made of 8 kinds of metals.
In 1230 AD Ananga Bhima Dev III declared that Jagannath was the real Ruler and he was his Representative only.
The present temple was built by the Eastern Ganga king Anantavaman Chodaganga in the 11th and 12th Centuries AD. It was called Purushottamkhetra.
The present Jagannath temple started in 1136 AD and was completed towards the late part of the 12th century. The eastern Ganga king Anangabhima III dedicated his kingdom to Lord Jagannath and was then known as the Purushottam-Jagannath. Puri is also named as Purushottam khetra
Ratha Yatra literally means Chariot festival. RathaYatra originated 5000 years ago in India on the east coast state of Odisha in the city called Jagannath Puri.
The festival celebrates Lord Krishna’s return to Vrindaban and it is held annually in the month of (June-July) to honor Lord Jagannath. Millions of people around the world travel to Puri in Odisha to celebrate this unbelievable festival.
In Upanishad “Rath” is defined as “body”. The body takes to reach its destination ‘Moksha or Nirvana” and the “Yatra “is Journey is known as “Ratha Yatra”. Ratha Yatra or Car Festival or Chariot festival is a Hindu festival.
Date of celebration of Car festival:-This festival is associated with Lord Jagannath temple at Puri n the state of Odisha.Ratha yatra taking place all around the world. The description of Ratha Yatra in Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, and Skandha Purana.
The Ratha Yatra festival witnessed this form of Lord Krishna being carried around in a procession on a gigantic Chariot-Ratha and later being worshiped at a temple in the center of Jagannath Puri.
A 10-day procession in the city of Puri, the idol of Jagannath is accompanied by idols of two other Hindu gods, Sister Subhadra Devi and elder brother Lord Balabhadra. The biggest Ratha yatra celebration takes place in Puri, a city of Odisha state in eastern India.
This annual festival is celebrated in Ashada Sukla paksha Dwitiya (the second day of the bright fortnight in Ashadha month of the Hindu calendar.
The construction of Ratha:-The three chariots of Lord Jagannath,Balabhadra & Subhadra is newly constructed every year with wood of specific trees like phassi, dhausa, etc. The three chariots are decorated as per the unique scheme prescribed and followed for centuries stand on the Bada dhanda the Grand Avenue.
The three chariots are lined across a wide avenue in front of the Sri Jagannath temple close to the eastern entrance, which is also known as Sinhadwara of the Jagannath temple.
Around each of the chariots are nine parva devatas, painted in wooden images representing different deities on the sides of the chariot. Each chariot has a charioteer (Sarathi) and four horses.
The name of the Chariot of Lord Jagannath is known as “Nandighosh”.The name of the chariot of Lord Balabhadra is “Taladhwaja”.The name of chariot of Maa subhadra is “Darpa dalana”.
The number of wheels in Chariot Nandighosh is 16, the number of wheels in Taladhwaja is 14 and in the chariot of Darpadalana is 12.The total number of wooden pieces used in “Nndighosh” is 832, in “Taladhwaja” it is 763 and in chariot” Dapadalana “it is 593. The height of chariots of “Nndighosh” is 44’ 2”, and the height of “Taladwaja” is 43’3” and the height of “Darpadalana” chariot is 42’3”.
The flag name of “Nndighosh” is Trailokyamohini, the flag name of “Taladwaja” is Unnani and the flag name of “Darpadalana “is Nadaambika. The color of horses in the chariot” Nndighosh” is white. The color of the horses in “Taladhwaja” is Black and in hoses in “Dapadalana” horses are red in color.
The name of the chariot rope in “Nandighosh “is Sankhachuda Nagini, in the chariot “Taladhwaja is Basuki and the chariot of “Darpadalana “is Swarnachuda NagAll nine parshavadevata are in chariot “Nndighosh” are Panchamukhi
Mahabir, Haihara, Madhusudana, Giridhara, Narasimha, Chitamani Krishna, Narayana, Chatra bhanga Rabana, & Ramachandra.All nine pashadewata are in chariot “ Taladhwaja” Sri Ganesh,Katikya,Sarva mangala,Balarama,Shiva,Nataraja,Mukteswara ,shesa deva, Halayadha, Mrityanjaya .
All nine parshwadeveta are in chariot” Darpadalana” are Chandi,Chamunda,Ugra tara,Banadurga,Maa Durga,Varshi,Shyamakali,Kakatpur Mangala, Maa Vimala.The gatekeeper in chariot “ Nndighosh” is Jaya & Bijaya, a gatekeeper in “ Taladhwaja” are Nanda & Sunanda whereas in gatekeeper in “ Darpa dalana” are Ganga & Jamuna.
Chandan Yatra:- The construction of chariots starts in Akshaya Tutria, the third day of the bright fortnight of Vaisakha with worship. This takes place in front of the King of Puri and opposite of Puri temple.
On this day a new agriculture session starts and farmers start plowing their fields. This also marks the beginning of the summer festival of the deities also known as the sandalwood festival or Chandan yatra.
21 day long Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath is observed on the day of Akshaya Tritiya in the holy town of Puri. The yatra is held by Narendra Pushkarani in accordance with the religious rituals.
The idols of Madan Mohan, Bhudavi, Sridevi, Ramakrishna& panchu pandaba take part in Chapa in water sports. Chapa Khela or water sports are held in Narendra Pushkarini every year.
Sebeka in Jagannath temple:-There is a community known as “Supakaras” or traditional cook whose duty is to prepare “Chhapan Bhoga” 56 types of bhoga which are offered to Lord Jagannath on a daily basis.
Viswakarma Sevakas are the hereditary carpenters who make the chariots on which Yatra takes place. While another community called “Kumara kantaNayakas” are ironsmiths who make special nails, pins, and clamps for the chariot. Much of this community works together behind the scenes in Rathayatr.
The Devsnana Yatra is the Bathing Festival on the full moon day of the month of Jestha. On this day, the presiding deities descend from their seats on an elevated platform in the sanctum sanctorum, the bejeweled throne.
They are bathed in 108 pots of water brought from Suna Kua, the golden well, and assume the elephant forms on a special bathing platform, close to the Eastern boundary wall of the temple. From that day on, the deities remain symbolic and ritual convalescence for about two weeks. They are barred from the view of ordinary devotees.
ISKON Movement:-The Ratha Yatra festival has become a common sight in most major cities of the world since 1968 through the ISKON Hare Krishna movement.
By the mercy of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath and Chaitanya, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has successfully transplanted the festival, which now happens on an annual basis in places all over the world in over 108 cities including: Moscow, New York, Houston, Atlanta, London, Rome, Mumbai, Kolkata, other majors and other major cities of the world.
Puri is located in the coastal city in the state of Odisha in eastern India. It is 60 km from the capital of Bhubaneswar. It is also known as Sri Jagannath Dham after the 12th-century Jagannath temple located in this city. It is one of the original Char Dham pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Puri also name as “Sri Khetra”.
Gundicha Temple is known as the Garden house of Jagannath. It stands at the center of a garden bounded by compound walls on all sides. This Gundicha temple lies at a distance of 3 Km. from Jagannath temple.
The two temples are located at two ends of Bada dhanda, which is the pathway of Rathyatra. Gundicha was the queen of King Indradyumna, the legendary founder of the 1st great Jagannath temple. It is because of the deep devotion of queen Gundicha, Lord Jagannath prefers to pay a visit to her house for 9 days during the car festival.
Chhera panhera is a significant ritual associated with Rata Yatra. During the rituals, the Guajapati King wears the outfit of a sweeper and sweeps all around the deities and chariots. The king cleans the road in front of the chariots with a gold-handled broom and sprinkles sandalwood water and power.
This ritual signifies that under the lordship of Jagannath, there is no distinction between the powerful sovereign and the humblest devotees.
Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb is the current titular king of Puri. He is the Descendant of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. The Gajapati Maharaja is the current “Adhyasevek” treated as the first and foremost servitor) of lord Jagannath. He is also the chairman of the Sri Jagannath temple managing committee.
Mysteries of Jagannath temple:-
The temple flag that defies logic:-The flag at the top of the temple strangely floats in the opposite direction of the wind. The flag floating in the opposite direction brings scientific reasoning to a halt, and you believe that there is some force that is more powerful than science
Sudarshan Chakra:- Sudarshan Chakra is 20 ft. high and weighs about 1mt. It is fitted on the top of the temple. But what is very interesting about chakra is that you can see chakra from any corner of the Puri city. You can always feel that chakra is always facing you. The positioning of Sudarshan chakra is still a mystery.
No plane, no birds fly above the temple:-You will be surprised to know that no birds and planes fly above the temple. By contrast, such an aspect is rare at any other temple in India. There is some divine power that is still a mystery.
The temple structure:-The structure of the temple is such that it does not cast any shadow at any given time of the day. It still remains to be deciphered whether it is engineering or a phenomenon that can be attributed by the divine force.
Mystery of Singhadwaram:-Sri Jagannath temple has four doors, Singhadwaram is the main door of entrance to the temple. When you enter through Singhadwaram you can clearly hear the sound of waves, but once you pass the Singhawaam, simply take a turn and walk back in the same direction you will no longer hear the sound of waves. In fact, you will not hear the sound of waves as long as you are inside the temple.
The sea mystery:-In any part of the world you must have witnessed that during the daytime, the wind from the sea comes from the land, whereas the wind from the land blows towards the sea in the evening. However, in Puri, the geographical laws are also reversed. Here, just the opposite thing happens.
1800years rituals:-Every day priests climb to the top of the temple. This is a tall around 45 story building to change the flag. This ritual has been in place for 1800 years. It is believed that if this ritual is ever missed the temple will remain shut for 18 years.
The cooking technique of prashadam:- Clay Pots are used to cook this special delicacy using firewood .7 pots are used for this and they are placed one top another . Interestingly, the topmost pot gets cooked first followed by the bottom pots.
Nabakalebera:-Once every 9 to 19 years, when the month of Ashadha is followed by another month of Ashadha (known as double Ashadha month) a rare and special Nabakalebera ritual takes place. The meaning of Nabakalebera is” new body”, Nabakalebera is when the wooden temple idols are replaced with new ones. In the last century the ritual was performed in 1912,1931,1950,1969,1977,1996, and 2015.The next Nabakalebera ritual will be held in the year2034.
In the year when the idols are due to be replaced, a contingent of priests, servants, and carpenters sets out from Jagannath temple to find the appropriate neem trees (locally known as Daru Brahma) in a procession called the Banaja yatra.
The priests walk barefoot to the temple of Goddess Mangala at Kakatpur which is about 50 km. From Puri. There, the Goddess appears in a dream and guides the priests as to where the trees can be found. The creation of new idols and the destruction of the old idols symbolize reincarnation.
Tourist Place:-Ten of the best tourist places to visit Puri have been located 60 km. away from the capital of Odisha, Bhubaneswar. Top ten beautiful tourist places at Puri 1.Sri Jagannath Puri temple. 2. Puri beach. 3. Markendeswa Temple.4.Narendra pushakrani5.Konark6. Pipili.7.Sakhigopal Temple.8.Chilika lake.9.Astaranga Beach10.Konark.
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