Rathayatra: Celebrating the Sacred Chariot Festival

Rathyatra is an annual Hindu festival. It celebrates the Sacred Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannath. He is with his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, and his younger sister Goddess Subhadra.

They travel from their home temple to their aunt’s temple in Gundicha. It is about three kilometres away.

Rathayatra:

Ratha Yatra is a regional holiday observed in Odisha, India. It is celebrated on Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya (second day after the new moon in the month of Ashadha). This means it is usually in late June or early July, during the rainy season in Odisha. The festival dates back to at least the 12th century CE, when King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva built the Jagannath temple. However, some sources suggest that the festival was already in practice since ancient times. The festival is also known as the Festival of Chariots. The deities are carried on three massive wooden chariots that are pulled by devotees with ropes.

Reason behind the festival of Rathayatra:

The festival is based on a story. Once, Goddess Subhadra said she wanted to visit her aunt in Gundicha. To fulfill her wish, Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra decided to go with her on a chariot ride. This event is commemorated every year by taking the deities on a similar journey.

Chera Panhara Ritual:

Chhera Pahanra is a ritual performed by the King of Odisha every year during the festival of Rath Yatra. It is an Odia word, in which “Chhera” means sprinkling holy water and “Panhara” means sweeping. Thus Chhera Panhara means sweeping while sprinkling holy water. After installing the idols of the God on the chariots, the King cleans the chariots of the God with a golden broom. He then worships the God by performing Aarti, after which the holy journey begins. This ritual is performed to show the devotion of the head of the state towards the God. Earlier, the King used to clean the road before the chariots moved. But, with time this ritual has changed. Now, the King only cleans the chariots.

Click here for read about Puri Jagannath Temple: An In-Depth Look into Its Origins and Mystical Facts 

Bahudayatra: The Return Journey of the Three Deities

The Holy Trinity is Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath. They spent nine days at Gundicha Temple. They will now return to their home, Srimandir, in Puri. The return journey is called Bahuda Yatra. “Bahuda” in Odia means “return”. A thick blanket of security cover has been spread over Puri to ensure a smooth conduct of the Bahuda Yatra.

Sunabesa:

The name Suna Besha is derived from two words, ‘Suna’ meaning “gold” and ‘Besha’ meaning “dress”. Suna Besha, also called Raja Besha or Rajarajeswara Besha, is a part of the Rath Yatra. It’s when Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra wear beautiful carved gold ornaments. They also wear precious stones and gold glitter. The deities, on their chariots, are adorned in golden attire or Suna Besha with hands, arms, and crowns made of solid gold. Generally, Suna Besha is celebrated five times in a year.

Niladribije:

At the end of the Rath Yatra festival, Lord Jagannath and his siblings- Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra return to their abode. This day is very important. It shows the heavenly love between Lord Jagannath and his wife Goddess Lakshmi. On the day of the Niladri Beeja ceremony, the Lord, his brother, and sister return to the Sri Mandir at Goti Pahandi in chariots. This is the procession of the Holy Trinity from the chariots to the Ratna Singhasan.