New Delhi, July 7: The traditional ‘Rath Yatra’ (chariot festival) of Lord Jagannath is starting from Sunday in Puri, Odisha. It is organized every year in the month of Ashadh on the second day of Shukla Paksha and Lord Jagannath stays among the general public till Dashami Tithi.
During this time Lord Jagannath sits on the chariot with elder brother Balaram and sister Devi Subhadra and departs towards Gundicha temple. The grand event of Jagannath Rath Yatra lasts for 10 days.
Every year Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra is organized in Puri. This Rath Yatra has special significance in Hinduism. In this, Lord Jagannath, along with sister Subhadra and brother Balabhadra, goes to the famous Gundicha Mata temple once a year where they will stay for a few days. In this, Lord Jagannath tours the whole city with his sister and brother.
In the Rath Yatra, brother Balram walks in the front on the Taal Dhwaj, behind him are Goddess Subhadra and Sudarshan Chakra on the Padma Dhwaj Rath.
Finally, Lord Jagannath walks on the Garun Dhwaj. Lord Jagannath’s chariot is called Nandighosha or Garudadhwaj.
It is believed that the same form of Lord Shri Krishna, Balram and Subhadra Ji is still present in Puri Jagannath, which was made by a devine architect Vishwakarma himself.
Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra is carried out in a very grand manner. The sight of devotees pulling the chariot is amazing. During the Rath Yatra, devotees play drums, nagadas, trumpets and conches. Devotees wait for this special occasion throughout the year.
