Time Period: The Full moon phase of June- July that is, Ashada
Event Date for 2011: July 3
Duration of Celebration: 10 days
Origin Dates Back To: 11th Century
Presiding Deity: Lord Jagannath Ji
Nearest Airport: Bhubaneshwar
Nearest Railhead: Puri
Information On Rath Yatra :
The annual celebration of Rath Yatra is a grand affair of devotion and spirituality. For ten days Puri, the location of Rath Yatra, is packed with millions of pilgrims and tourists. Some come to seek blessings while the other like foreigners come to experience for themselves the religious bent of Indians. But they also could not keep them aloof from the festivities and frolic in the celebrations. The festival observes a huge procession of decorated idols of Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra or Balrama. All the deities are seated on separate chariots with the Lord adorning the most massive one.
Significance of Rath Yatra :
Also popular as Gundicha Yatra, Navadina Yatra, Ghosa Yatra, Dasavatara Yatra, the Jagannath Rath Yatra holds much significance for the devotees. Even the thinnest glimpse of Lord Jagannatha is considered very auspicious. It is also believed that if one gets an opportunity to touch the chariot, or even the ropes, then that person is absolved of sacrament for ages. The three deities are given a ritual bath on the Snan Vedi (an open platform), almost a fortnight before the Rath Yatra.
Rituals of Rath Yatra :
Three chariots are decorated and lined on the day before the procession. On the day of the procession, the priests take out the festooned idols to the chariots. The first deity to come out is lord Jagannath. After the ceremony, Gajapati (the ceremonial king of Puri) comes and expresses his humility before God. With a golden broom, he cleans the chariots and showers holy water on them. After that, the procession of three deities towards the Gundicha Temple starts.
Attractions of Rath Yatra :
On the day of the initiation of this Yatra, all the people at Puri get up early in the morning and take bath. After this purification bath, they offer prayers to the Lord at their homes and then head towards the Jagannatha Temple. The massive chariots on which the Lord has to be taken out in a procession are lined up in front of the temple only.
People decorate their houses and shops with flowers, lights and rangolis for the festival. Traditional desserts and sweets are especially prepared for the occasion. It is also customary to refrain from non- vegetarian food during these days.
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