Rath Yatra, a Carnival for Hindus !

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.