Rathayatra:Detailed report from India

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Rathayatra

The world famous Rathayatra of Lord Jagannath is also known as Yatra

and Ghosha Yatra. These Festivals are held on "ASHADHASUKLADWITIYA"

ie..the second day of the bright fortnight of ashadha (June-July)

every year. This Rathayatra symbolises that after a long time of

the separation Lord Shri Krishna is going to Kuruksetra from Dwaraka

to meet the inhabitants of Brindavan. Three different sizes of

chariots are made for this Rathayatra which begins from the Lord

Jagannath Temple. The Chariot of the Lord Jagannath is called

NANDIGHOSH, the Chariot of Balabhadra is called TALADVAJA, the Chariot

of Lady Subhadra is called PADMADHVAJA. Except the vessels of Kalasa,

which are on top of the chariots, the side Deities, the Charioteers

and Horses, the rest of the whole chariots are made new every year in

accordance to the strict ancient specifications. Nearly around one

thousands of Devotees are needed to pull these chariots with the help

of four ropes which are tied to each chariot and has no steering

system on it.

http://www.jagannathpuri.com/jprathayatra.asp

NANDIGHOSH RATH:-This Chariot is of Lord Jagannath, it is

45ft(13.71mts)high and having sixteen wheels. The fabric of the roof

is in Red and Yellow colour. A wheel is placed on the top of the chariot.

 

TALADVAJA RATH:-This chariot belongs to Balabhadra. The height of this

chariot is 44ft(13.2mts),and consists of fourteen wheels. The fabric

colour of the roof is Red and Green.Tala fruit is placed on top of the

chariot.

 

PADMADHVAJA RATH:-This is Lady Subhadra's chariot. It is

43ft(12.9mts)in height and consist of twelve wheels. The fabric of

roof is in Red and Black colour.

 

There are side deities on each of the chariot as SUDARSHANA is seated

by the side of Lady Subhadra in her chariot, MADANMOHANA sits in the

Lord Jagannath's chariot, and small deities of Lord RAMA AND KRISHNA

take their seats in the Balabhadra chariot. Thus total seven Deities

are seated on the three chariots and are pulled by the Devotees by

catching the ropes tied to the chariots and taken to the Gundicha

Temple which is about 3km away from the main temple.

 

Before Ratha Yatra begins some Ceremonies are held in main temple.

They are:-

 

(1)SNANAYATRA FESTIVAL:-This ceremony is held on "Jyesthapurnima",

when the main deities along the Sudarsana are brought to the

snanamandapa (a platform for bathing, Snana means bathing) and are

bathed arount mid-day. One hundred and eight pots of water is poured

on the Deities. The water is brought from a sacred well which is dear

to the Goddess Sitala. After bathing the Deities are put on Elephant

masks, which is called as GANESH VESHA. Then the Deities are offered

BHOG (Cooked Food) and ARATHI. The Deities are then taken back to the

temple in a procession and stay in retirement for fifteen days. The

deities are placed in the Hallway between the inner and outer shrine

in a semi-horizontal position. Here in this ceremony the general

public can see the food Offerings to the Deities, which is not

possible any time in the year.

 

(2)ANAVASARA FESTIVAL:- During these Festivals after Snana Yatra

Lord Jagannath become sick and suffers from fever. He is therefore

moved to his private stay, there He is offered drugs which are

prepared by the fruit juice. The Dayita (servants of Lord Jagannath)

take care of Lord Jagannath. They sleep and stay there with the Deity.

The word ANAVASARA is used when Lord Jagannath is not seen in the temple.

 

(3)NIBHRITA FESTIVAL:-The fifteen days period of Resting and

Renovation is called NIBRITHA. Honouring the isolation of his wife

Goddess Laxmi,Lord Jagannath lives there in privacy enjoying SVAKIYA

RASA. Then by taking her (Goddess Laxmi) permission Lord Jagannath

come out for His Rathayatra.

 

(4)ANGA-RAGA OR NAVA YAVANA FESTIVAL:-These Festivals are held for the

purpose of renovation of the Lord Jagannath body. After being washed

the body of Lord Jagannath needs repainting, This work is done by the

DAITYAS, which takes two weeks to complete. Then the Lord Jagannath

Deities is fully restored to youth (NAVA YAVANA).

 

(5)NETROTSAVA:-This ceremony is performed in the inner shrine where

the Deities are placed in semi-horizontal position. They have been

fully painted, except their eyes. In this ceremony the eyes of the

Deities are painted by their respected Pujaries and the Puja (worship)

is started in the temple. The Deities are still in the same position.

 

After completing the above said ceremonies the Deities are taken out

from the temple and placed in their respective chariots on the

Rathayatra day.

 

The procession of the Deities from the temple to the chariot is the

most colorful aspect of the Rathayatra. The Chariots are brought and

kept at front of the Simha Dwara, facing north side before Rathayatra

begins. In a traditional ceremonial manner first Sudarshana is brought

from the temple and put on to the Chariot of Lady Subhadra, followed

by Balabhadra first as is elder in the family placed in his chariot,

then followed Lady Subhadra and Lord Jagannath are placed in their

respective chariots.

 

While bringing the Deities of Balabhadra and Lord Jagannath out of the

temple they are made to swing forward and backward in a manner called

"PAHANDI". As the Deities are extremely heavy they need many strong

men to move them. Each Deity is provided with thick soften ropes

around their body. By taking assistance from the Pujaries who holds

the ropes, the Dayitas(Lord Jagannath servants) move the Deities. As

the main Deities arrive on their respective chariots ,the small

Deities of Lord Rama and Krishna are placed on the Balabhadra chariot

and Madanmohan Deity is placed on Lord Jagannath chariot. All Deities

are then refreshed and offered fresh garlands. At this time in a

Palanquin the king of Jagannath Puri arrives and sweeps the street in

front of the chariots with a golden handled Whisk broom-stick and

sprinkles the ground with fragrant waters.

 

After all this Rituals completed the Rathayatra begins with the

Balabhadra chariot going first as he is elder. Then follows chariot of

Subhadra and then follows chariot of Lord Jagannath. The chariots of

Lady Subhadra and Balabhadra reach directly the Gundicha temple, where

as the chariot of Lord Jagannath stops at his Mausima (Aunt's) Goddess

Ardhamsini temple. Here the Lord is offered with Poda Pitha(fried

cheese cake). Again the chariot of Lord Jagannath proceeds towards the

Gundicha Temple. However the Rath (chariot) of the Lord Jagannath

usually reaches the Gundicha Temple next day. After reaching the

Gundicha Temple the Deities take rest on their chariots for another

day ,then they are taken into the sanctum of the Gundicha Temple.

while staying in the Gundicha temple for seven days the Deities

receive all the routine Rituals same as they used to receive in the

main temple.

 

On the 10th day, fortnight of Ashada the Deities are brought back on

to their respective Chariots and the Rath is pulled back to the main

temple, this is known as BAHUDA YATRA. While returning to the main

temple Lord Jagannath stops again at His "Mausima" Goddess Ardhamsini

temple and receives BOGH(Poda Pitha). He then proceeds towards the

King's palace where he has a meeting with Goddess Laxmi and continues

his Yatra and the Rathayatra reaches to an end i.e.. to the Lord

Jagannath Temple at night and spend their night in the Rath till Morning.

 

Next day in the morning on BADA EKADASI the Deities are Dressed in the

SUNA VESHA(THE GOLDEN-DRESS), Arms and Feet which are made of pure

gold are attached to the Deities, and are decorated by putting on them

the Golden Ornaments and Golden Crowns. This day is considered to be

the most auspicious day of the festival. The devotees makes

Pradhakshina of the rath(chariot) by moving around the chariots. After

a few hours the golden ornaments are removed from the Deities and

brought back to the temple, As usual first comes Balabhadra then

Subhadra and then Lord Jagannath in a traditional procession among

huge assembly of thousands of devotes.

 

Lord Jagannath faces a tough time when he tries to enter into the

temple, as Goddess Laxmi is angry with Lord Jagannath because he went

to Rathayatra along with his Brother and Sister She also expresses her

anger by going to the Gundicha Temple on 5th day of the festival. The

DEVIDASIS (servants of Godess Laxmi) close the Simha Dwara and

ultimately opens it again but closes the Jaya Vijaya Dwara, Hear songs

comprising of dialogues exchanged between DEVIDASI and DAYITAS. Then

Lord Jagannath tells to Goddess Laxmi if he is allowed to enter into

the temple He will present her so many gifts, listening to this

Goddess Laxmi allows Lord Jagannath to enter into the Temple. Thus

Rathayatra is completed.