- By Prerna Targhotra
- Tue, 20 Jun 2023 09:13 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
JE Lifestyle Desk: The auspicious occasion of Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra is here and the celebrations are in full swing. Also known as the ‘Festival of Chariots’, this occasion commences in the month of Ashadha. It signifies the annual visit of Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra to the Gundicha temple in Odisha. Every year, the Rath yatra takes place for nine days and is known as the biggest chariot procession in the whole world.
Lord Jagannath is considered the ‘Lord of the Universe’ as per the Hindu scriptures. He is considered the form of Lord Vishnu and is revered by the followers of Vaishnavism. Jagannatha temple is one of the four Hindu pilgrimage centres known as Char Dham that a Hindu is expected to make in one's lifetime. According to Drik Panchang, it is said that to honour the devotion of Queen Gundicha, wife of the legendary King Indradyumna who built the Puri Jagannatha temple, Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra left their regular abode in the main temple and spent few days in this temple in their honour.
Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023: Important Things You Should Know
1. The Puri Rath Yatra will commence on June 20 (today) and will be carried out till June 28, 2023.
2. This festival is held for nine days every year. It is the largest chariot procession in the world.
3. One day before the Ratha Yatra, Gundicha Temple is cleaned by devotees of Lord Jagannatha. The ritual of cleaning the Gundicha temple is known as Gundicha Marjana.
4. The people of other religious sects cannot catch a glimpse of the Lord as they get access to the doorstep of the premises no matter how ardent devotees they are, except on some special days.
5. The three deities, Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra are carried in three different chariots during the procession. The chariots are constructed every year with new materials, designs and dimensions.
6. Canopies for the chariots are made of almost 1200 metres of cloth. A team of around 15 tailors make the canopies.
7. The chariots are made with wood without the use of even a single needle. The collection of wood begins on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami.
8. Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra travel in three different chariots. Lord Jagannath is on Nandighosh, which has 18 wheels, Lord Balabhadra's chariot Taladhwaja has 16 wheels and Goddess Subhadra's chariot Padmadhwaja has 14 wheels.
9. The deities are given a ceremonial bath with 108 pitchers of water, which is known as Sahastradhara Snan.
10. The chariots return on the eighth day of Ashadha Shukla Dashami. This process is referred to as Bahuda Yatra.
11. A total of 56 dishes are made every day in the Jagannath temple. The 'Mahaprasad' is prepared in the temple and is made in seven earthen pots or wooden utensils.