Rath Yatra | Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra – The Chariot Festival of Puri
Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is a major Hindu festival. Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra Festival is celebrated on Ashadhi sudi bije. Rath Yatra festival is also known as the Chariot Festival is one of the most famous festivals of Orissa. This fabulous chariot festival celebrated for 8 days is held at the famous Jagannath Temple in the city of Puri in Orissa, India.
Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra parade is an awfully colorful festivity, in which people take part actively. The idols of God Jagannath and his brother Balabhadra and his sister Subhadra, enshrined in the Sri Mandira, are brought out and placed on their respective chariots in the Rath yatra. The main chariot is 14 meters high and 10 meters square with 16 wheels.
The idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are wearing the beautiful shiny clothes. These chariots are pulled by the Thousands devotees and the idols are taken to Gundicha Temple. The gods stay at this temple for seven days and then return to Sri Mandira, in a similar procession.
Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is chariot journey of God Jagannath which observed in the month of Ashadh and is an event that celebrates the annual visit of the God to his birthplace. The Yatra is considered as a main part of festivities and ceremonies of each temple and is measured as a special and sacred event. In this festival chariots, elephants, trucks, motor vehicles, acrobats and gymnasts are colorfully decorated. And temples are decorated by beautiful designed and colorful flowers.
Jagannatha's chariot is called Nandighosha, which is Yellow in color, 45 ft high and has 16 wheels, each one seven feet in diameter. About 4,200 devotees draw the chariot. Balabhadra's chariot is called Taladhvaja, which is blue in color and has 14 wheels. Subhadra's chariot is the smallest, with 12 wheels and is called Deviratha.
The Legends behind the Yatra festival has been celebrated since ancient times. Some Hindus believe that Jagannatha is an incarnation of Vishnu. Since Vishnu has four arms, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshana represent Vishnu's four arms.
The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra Festival time is very special in India. The whole Rath Yatra is a symbolic humanization of God. After the festival, the Raths are wrecked and bits are used for firewood in the kitchens or sold to pilgrims as relics. New Chariots are made every year to stiff specifications of make laid down in temple's olden manuals. Read More Information about Rath Yatra at wiki.
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