Jagannath Rath Yatra

 The BIGGEST FESTIVAL OF ODISHA is the JAGANNATH PURI RATH YATRA. Each year a large number of devotees from every corners of the world reach Puri to be a part of the yatra. This is a 11- day lasting festival in which the idols of the deity are carried in a rath to a nearby temple and return after a period of 9 days. The JAGANNATH PURI RATH YATRA is the oldest yatra of the world also mentioned in the ancient Hindu text - THE PURANAS.  One of the great achievements of this festival is that in today's date it is celebrated internationally across 108 cities including places like MOSCOW, NEW YORK, LONDON, ROME, etc. 

PURI RATH YATRA DATES :-

The rath yatra commences from the second day of the fortnight of hindu month - ASHADHA ( as per the odia calendar) . This year the yatra began on Monday, 12 July 2021 and ended on Tuesday, 20 July 2021.  Next year the date of the rath yatra is Friday, 1 Jul 2022. 

PURI RATH YATRA HISTORY :-

JAGANNATH PURI or LORD KRISHNA is the presiding deity of the temple. The Rath Yatra History dates back to over 5,000 years ago in Jagannath Puri; a picturesque city in Odisha. It is believed that, in order to kill Krishna and Balram, their maternal uncle Kamsa requested them to visit Mathura. He also sent a chariot on which Krishna and Balram sat to travel to Mathura.

There is a strong belief that Lord Krishna took the human form on earth in Dwapara Yuga. It was midnight on the 8th day of the month of Sravan. He performed miraculous feats and stated that he would reside in Puri during the Kali Yuga. Going by these facts, Puri earns the name as the abode of Lord Jagannath, devotees consider him to the lord of the universe. Hence, a beautiful temple devoted to Lord Krishna was built in Puri from where the rath yatra originated.

CHARIOTS OF PURI RATH YATRA:-

The main attraction of this rath yatra are the three massive chariots in which the three deities - LORD JAGANNATH, BALARAM and SUBHADRA are carried to the GUNDICHA TEMPLE. The day of the start for the construction is of the AKSHAY TRITIYA. 

The chariot of lord jagannath is the largest with 16 wheels and it's height is about 45 ft and 45 ft broad. It is decorated in red and yellow. The yellow indicated the golden robes of lord krishna.

The chariot of Balaram is 44 ft high and has 14 wheels. It is decorated in red and green and has palm tree on its flag. 

On the other hand, the chariot of Subhadra has 12 wheels and is 43 ft high. It is decorated with red and black, wtih black indicating shakti. The chariots are known as NANDIGHOSHA , TALADHWAJA and DEVADALANA respectively. 

JAGANNATH PURI TEMPLE:-

The holy temple of lord Jagannath also known as lord of universe is known by many , names, viz., the Puri temple, the Srimandira, the Bada Deu1a or simply, the Jagannatha temple. The temple of Jagannatha is one of the tallest monuments in the entire sub-continent of India and its height is about 214 feet from the ground level. It stands on a 'raised platform of stone, measuring about ten acres. It is located in the hear of the town and presents an imposing sight. The temple is bounded by two compound walls, the outer one known as Meghanada Pracira & the inner one known as Kurma Pracira. The present temple was built in the 12th century A.D. The temple structure is full of excellent carvings and lovely pieces of sculpture and is a fine specimen of Kalinga style of architecture. It is now maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Only orthodox Hindus are allowed to enter into the Temple. But the others can see portions of the enclosure from the top of the Emar Matha building, located near the east facing gate of the temple.

The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is one of those festivals that are on one's must-do at least once in a lifetime!