RATH YATRA

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Context

Millions of Devotees gather to celebrate, pray, watch and participate in the Jagannath Ratha Yatra procession.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik started this yatra by symbolically pulling these giant chariots of lord Jagannath and his two siblings.

Other Details

In this Yatra wooden chariots of Lords Jagannath and Balabhadra and Lady Subhadra would be approximately 45 feet tall.
It starts from 12th century stone temple of Jagannath Puri in Odisha.
People dance and celebrate by chanting ‘Haribol’, ‘Jai Jagannath’ along with beating brass cymbals and hand drums

Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra

Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is held on second day of Shukla Pakshya (fortnight after full moon) in Hindu month of Ashada. Hence it generally falls in June or July.
It is a nine-day-long festival.
This holy annual car festival sees devotees coming from all parts of the world.
However mostly there are from Odisha and neighbouring states.
This Ratha yatra is considered to be one of the world’s biggest religious processions

Preparations to Yatra

First chariots is swept using a golden handle broom by Puri's titular king. The ritual is known as Chhera Pahanra.
Priests sprinkle flowers and fragrant water on Ratha.
Before the start of procession many groups of devotes do kirtans and dance in front of these chariots.
To symbolically pull the chariots wooden horses are fitted.
Administration is on alert and security and traffic arrangements are made for a smooth conduct of procession.

Procession

From temple chariot of big brother Lord Balabhadra comes out first which is known as Taladhwaj chariot.
Then the chariot, Darpadalan, is of sister Goddess Subhadra is taken out.
In the end comes the chariot of Lord Jagannath, Lord of the Universe. Chariot is called Nandighosh.
These chariots start from the Singha Dwar of Jagannath Temple and the taken to Gundicha Temple (their aunt’s residence).
On fourth day Hera Panchami is celebrated.
Finally they return to Main Jagannath temple on tenth day (Dashmi tithi).
This returning journey is known as Bahuda Yatra.
Puri Shankaracharya oversees the procession.