Jagannath Puri is a sacred city in the eastern state of Odisha, India, that is home to one of the most ancient and revered Hindu temples, the Jagannath Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu, the supreme god of the Hindu pantheon, along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. The temple is also known as the Shree Mandir, the abode of the Lord, and attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists every year. But the most spectacular and unique event that takes place in Jagannath Puri is the Ratha Yatra, or the chariot festival, which is celebrated annually on the second day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashadha (June-July). The Ratha Yatra is considered the oldest and largest chariot festival in the world and is also known as the Gundicha Yatra, Ghosa Yatra, Navadina Yatra, or Dasavatara Yatra.
The Ratha Yatra is a festival that marks the annual journey of the three deities from their home temple to another temple, called the Gundicha Temple, located about 3 km away. The deities are taken out of the temple in a grand procession, accompanied by thousands of devotees, priests, musicians, dancers, and security personnel. The deities are placed on three massive wooden chariots, each with 16 or 18 wheels, that are pulled by ropes by the devotees. The chariots are decorated with colorful fabrics, flags, flowers, and paintings, and are considered to be the living embodiments of the deities. The chariots are also named after the deities: the chariot of Jagannath is called Nandighosha or Garudadhwaja, the chariot of Balabhadra is called Taladhwaja or Langaladhwaja, and the chariot of Subhadra is called Devadalana or Padmadhwaja.
The Ratha Yatra is a festival that symbolizes the love and devotion of the devotees for the Lord, and also the compassion and grace of the Lord for his devotees. The festival is based on the legend that the deities wish to visit their aunt, Gundicha, who lives in the Gundicha Temple, and also to enjoy the climate and scenery of the countryside. The festival is also a reminder of the childhood pastimes of Lord Krishna, who used to visit his relatives and friends in Vrindavan with his brother Balarama and sister Subhadra. The festival is also a celebration of the universal brotherhood and sisterhood of humanity, as people from all walks of life, castes, creeds, and religions participate in the festival with joy and enthusiasm.
The Ratha Yatra is a festival that has a rich and ancient history and is also a living and vibrant tradition that continues to attract and inspire millions of people across the world. The festival is not only celebrated in Jagannath Puri but also in many other places in India and abroad, where the devotees of Jagannath have established temples and centers. The festival is also a source of cultural and artistic expression, as various forms of music, dance, drama, literature, and art are associated with the festival. The festival is also a subject of scientific and academic interest, as various aspects of the festival, such as the construction and movement of the chariots, the rituals and ceremonies, the social and environmental impacts, and the philosophical and theological implications, are studied and researched by scholars and experts.
The History and Significance of the Ratha Yatra
The Ratha Yatra is a festival that has a long and glorious history, dating back thousands of years. According to some sources, the festival was first mentioned in the Skanda Purana, one of the ancient Hindu scriptures, which describes the origin and evolution of the Jagannath cult. According to the Skanda Purana, the original deity of Jagannath was a blue-colored stone image of Lord Vishnu, called Neela Madhava, which was worshipped by a tribal king named Viswavasu in a dense forest. The king kept the deity hidden from everyone, except his daughter Lalita, who used to serve the deity with flowers and food. One day, a king named Indradyumna, who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, heard about the deity from a pilgrim named Vidyapati, who had married Lalita and had seen the deity. The king decided to visit the forest and see the deity for himself, but when he reached there, he found that the deity had disappeared. The king was very disappointed and prayed to Lord Vishnu for his mercy. Lord Vishnu appeared to him in a dream and told him that he would manifest himself in a wooden form on the seashore. The king then went to the seashore and found a huge log of wood, which he brought to his palace and invited many sculptors to carve the image of the Lord. However, none of the sculptors could cut the wood, as their tools broke upon touching it. The king then prayed to Lord Vishnu again, and the Lord sent an old man, who was actually the Lord himself in disguise, to carve the image. The old man agreed to carve the image, but on the condition that he would work in a closed room for 15 days, and no one would disturb him. The king agreed and gave him the wood and the tools. The old man then started to carve the image, but after 14 days, the king became impatient and curious and opened the door of the room. The old man disappeared, and the king saw that the image was incomplete, with no hands and feet. The king was very sad and regretted his mistake, but then he heard a voice from the sky, which told him that the image was perfect and that he should install it in a temple and worship it with love and devotion. The voice also told him that the image represented the Lord's form as Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe, who had no beginning or end, and who accepted the offerings of his devotees with his eyes. The king then installed the image in a temple, along with two other images of Balabhadra and Subhadra, who were the brother and sister of the Lord and started to worship them with great reverence and joy.
The Ratha Yatra is a festival that has a deep and profound significance, as it represents the love and devotion of the Lord and his devotees. The festival is based on the legend that the deities wish to visit their aunt, Gundicha, who lives in the Gundicha Temple, and also to enjoy the climate and scenery of the countryside. The festival is also a reminder of the childhood pastimes of Lord Krishna, who used to visit his relatives and friends in Vrindavan with his brother Balarama and sister Subhadra. The festival is also a celebration of the universal brotherhood and sisterhood of humanity, as people from all walks of life, castes, creeds, and religions participate in the festival with joy and enthusiasm. The festival is also a symbol of the Lord's compassion and grace for his devotees, as he comes out of his temple and allows everyone to see him and serve him. The festival is also a manifestation of the Lord's omnipresence and omnipotence, as he travels on his chariot and blesses everyone with his glance. The festival is also a demonstration of the Lord's transcendence and immanence, as he is beyond the material world, yet he descends into it and accepts the offerings of his devotees. The festival is also an expression of the Lord's beauty and charm, as he attracts everyone with his enchanting smile and captivating eyes. The festival is also an indication of the Lord's joy and bliss, as he dances and plays with his devotees and fills their hearts with ecstasy.
The Deities and Rituals of the Ratha Yatra
The Ratha Yatra is a festival that involves the three deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, who are the main attractions of the festival. The deities are made of wood and are replaced every 12 or 19 years in a mysterious ceremony called the Nabakalebara, which means the new body. The deities are also unique in their appearance, as they have large round eyes, smiling faces, and no hands and feet. The deities are also adorned with different costumes and ornaments, depending on the season and occasion. The deities are also considered to be alive and conscious and are treated with utmost respect and care.
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