Rath Yatra, a carnival of Odisha, is a festival to
worship lord Jagannath. This carnival is celebrated almost across India now.
Hindus believe that lord Jagannath is the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu and
Krishna. Lord Jagannath is the oldest and most famous
deity in the city of Puri, at Odisha. Every year this carnival takes place in the
third month of the lunar calendar. The word
Jagannath means lord of common. It means lord loves all. Besides, the Jagannath
temple is regarded as one of the four scared Hindu pilgrimage destinations in
India.
It is observed every year on the second day of
shukla pakshya of Asadh Maas. Deity of
lord Jagannath alongwith lord Balarama and Lord Subhadra with the Sudarshana
wheel is taken out for ritual and holy procession from the temple in their respective
giant size chariots. The beautiful decorated chariots are drawn by thousands
and lakhs of devotees on the grand avenue (the bada danda) to the Gundicha
Temple. This temple is like two miles away to the north. While on their way,
the three chariots take a halt at Mausima Temple. They are offered a particular
pancake called poda pitha. The deities return to their abode after seven days
of stay.
This festival is popular in various names like
Gundicha Jatra, Navadina Jatra, Dasavtara Jatra to name a few. It is considered
to be the most auspicious occasion for Hindus. Even a touch of the chariot or
to get the chance to pull the chariot is considered to be the result of some
pious deeds.
The devotees in Rath Yatra |
The chariots of Balarama, Jagannath and Subhadra
are constructed newly every year with special woods. These woods are from the
trees like phassi and dhausa which are brought from the princely state of
Daspalla. The chariot is made by special carpenters who have the privileges and
hereditary rights to do.
Nandighosa is the name of the chariot of Lord
Jagannath. The height of the wheel is 45 feet high. The chariot is made of 16
wheels with the 7 foot diameter respectively.Taladhwaja, the chariot of Lord Balarama has 14
wheels, each constructed of 7 foot diameter and the height is 44 feet.Lord Subhadra’s chariot is called as
Dwarpadalana is 43 feet high with 12 wheels with 7 foot diameter. All three chariots are attached to four horses
but with different colours. It is white for Lord Balarama, black for Lord
Jagannath and red for Lord Subhadra. Sarathi, the charioteer is attached to all
the chariots.
The prominence of Rath Yatra lies in the ability
to unite the people. All sphere of
people, rich and poor, shudras or higher caste Brahmins equally enjoy the
festival. In fact Muslims are also equally involved in building the chariot to participating
in the chariot pulling during the yatra.