Jagannath Rath Yatra

Jagannath Rath Yatra – File Photo

Jagannath Rath Yatra is celebrated on Shukla Paksha Dwitiya of the month of Ashad, all over the world, but it’s the Puri one that is famous. As per the Sthala Purana, Jagganatha was originally worshiped as a tribal deity Neela Madhab. King Indradyumna of Puri, deputed a Brahmin priest Vidyapati to find the location of the idols, and bring them back. Vidyapati was taken blindfolded to the cave, where the idols were located, but he scattered mustard seeds along way to mark the route. Though Indradyumna went along with Vidyapati to the cave, he could not locate the idols, and they came back. However Jagannatha appeared in a dream to Indradyumna, where he asked him to make the idols out of the wood near the sea shore. Indradyumna, instructed the celestial architect Vishwakarma to make the idols of Jagannatha, out of the wood. Vishwakarma agreed on one condition, that he would not be disturbed during the making of the idols. However Indradyumna’s queen, Gundicha, broke the rule, and took a peek at the idols during the making. With the rule broken, Vishwakarma, disappeared, leaving the idols unfinished, resulting in their peculiar design.

The entire process of the Ratha Yatra starts on Akshaya Trutiya, when the construction of the chariots begins.  It also marks the start of the sowing season, and the Chandan Yatra is the first phase of the Ratha Yatra. The 3 week long Chandan Yatra, sees the idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra being bathed with water, sandalwood paste. The Chandan Yatra ends with the Snana Yatra, which is on Jyestha Pournami, when the idols are bathed. For two weeks after the Snana Yatra, the idols are kept hidden from the devotees, and given only roots, berries and leaves. The progeny of Lalita, the daughter of Biswabasu, the tribal chief and Vidyapati, serve Jagannath during this period.

Once the deities are returned to the main temple, they are decorated with gold in a ritual called Suna Besha.  On the day of the Ratha Yatra the chariots of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken in a procession to the Gundicha Ghar. The 3 chariots of Jagannatha, Balabhadra, Subhadra are constructed with special wood from erstwhile princely state of Daspalla. On the day of the Ratha Yatra the chariots of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken in a procession to the Gundicha Ghar. A family of carpenters, who have the hereditary privileges for making the Rathas, bring these logs to Puri. Jagannatha’s chariot is called Nandhighosha, the largest of them all at 45 feet.

With 16 wheels, 45 square feet base area, Nandighosha towers above all, and covered with Red, Yellow robes. Daruka is the name of the charioteer of Nandhighosha, which is guarded by Garuda, Trailokyamohini is the flag name. Nandighosha is pulled by horses Shankha, Balahaka, Suweta, Haridashwa, and the rope Shankachuda Nagini. Varaha, Trivikrama, Ram, Hanuman, Rudra, Gobardhan, Narsinga are among the 9 deities on Nandighosha.

Taladwaja is the chariot of Baladbhadra, literally meaning Flag with a Palm Tree, the second tallest one.

Covered with Bluish Green color robes, Taladwaja has 14 wheels, and rises to a height of 44 feet. Matali is the charioteer of Taladwaja, which is guarded by Basudev, and it’s flag is called Unnani. Tribra, Ghora, Dirghasharma, Swornanava are the horses pulling Taladwaja, while the rope is called Basuki Naga. Ganesh, Kartikeya, Sarvamangala,Mrityunjaya, Sheshadeva are among the 9 deities on Taladwaja.

Darpadalana literally meaning “Trampler of Pride” is the chariot of Subhadra, rises to a height of 43 feet.

Darpadalana, the chariot of Subhadra is covered with Red and Black robes, representing Shakti. Darpadalana has 12 wheels, guarded by Jayadurga, and it’s charioteer is Arjun. Nadambika is the flag on Darpadalana,while Rochika, Mochika, Jita, Aparajita are the horses pulling it. Swarnachuda Nagini is the name of the rope that pulls Darpadalana, while Subhadra is accompanied by Sudarshana. The presiding deities on Darpadalana are primarily forms of Shakti- Chandi, Chamundi, Ugratara, Mangala, Vimala.

The temple is built in typical Oriyan architecture style by king Ananta Barma Chodaganga Dev during the 12th century A.D. Its one of the tallest structures in India, measuring a height of 214 ft from ground level. The temple is flanked by 4 gates Simha Dwara, Aswha Dwara, Gaja Dwara and the Tiger Gate, enclosed by Meghnad Prachir. The inner sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannatha temple is called the Kurma Bheda where the Vimana is located. Before the chariots are pulled, we have the local Gajapati King of Puri, sweeping the chariots with a golden broom. This ritual symbolizes that the King is but a humble servant of Lord Jagannatha. The chariots are then pulled along to the Gundica Ghar, which is located at the other end of the Bara Danda. After a seven day stay, the idols return back to the main temple in what is called as Bahuda Yatra. This Ratha Yatra also gave rise to the word Juggernaut meaning an unstoppable force that crushes everything in its path. In earlier times, devotees would throw themselves under the chariot wheels to attain salvation, chanting “Jai Jagannath.” And the chant of Jagannath in due course of time was corrupted to Juggernaut, which means an unstoppable force.

If you wish to know more about Puri and the Jagannath Temple, check out my travelogue here.