Amazing Rath Yatra or Car Festival Celebrated Grandly on 6th July

Rath Yatra is a popular celebration in Puri where Lord Jagannath, Lord Balarama, and Devi Subhadra give darshan to all the people and shower their blessing on them. The car religious festival is held mainly in Puri and also celebrated in many places of India and globally on Wednesday, 6^th July. Every year this festival falls in the June or July month.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="715"] Rath Yatra in Puri (www.indiaonlinetour.com)[/caption]

Millions of devotees travel to Puri during Rath Yatra time from across the world to grace their presence in front of Puri Jagannath Temple as it is reflected entryway towards heaven. Those people who view Lord Jagannath, Lord Balarama, and Devi Subhadra on their chariots live in Puri feel blessed by Almighty!

Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="720"] The Three Chariots (www.toshaliratnagiri.com)[/caption]

The chariots of three Gods have been beautifully designed and artistically decorated as they stand in front of Puri Jagannath temple. Many art workers get busy in preparing the chariots much before the main day of celebration. On the day of “6^th July” people in vast numbers from early morning move towards the mandir in lines. Various rituals include in this whole car festival processions.

Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri starts when the purohits bring the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balarama, and Devi Subhadra from the temple to their individual chariots. There is lots of excitement in people to watch the Gods arriving in their chariots. The ceremony is called Pahandi Vijay when the three Gods are placed in their brilliantly embellished chariots. Firstly Devi Subhadra is taken to her chariot, then Lord Balrama is taken to his chariot, and then Lord Jagannath approaches at last. Lord Jagannath takes the maximum time to reach as He is the main Lord, and while he is been shifted towards the chariot, the passageway is placed with pillows so that Lord can move to his chariot comfortably.

Then Gajapati King (Puri Raja) arrives to clean the passages of the three chariots with his golden handled broom which is known as Chera Pahara.

Thus the journey begins from Singhdwara, the main entrance from where the chariots are moved to Gundicha Temple, the main destination. Purohits and devotees pull the ropes of the three chariots to Gundicha Mandir where the Gods visit Lord Jagannath’s Maasi’s home!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="726"] Lord Balarama, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath Deities (blog.onlineprasad.com)[/caption]

Lord Jagannath, Lord Balarama, and Devi Subhadra enjoy their stay at their maasi’s home. After the nine days complete, they return back to the Jagannath temple as this journey is known as Bahuda Jatra. When the three chariots are placed at the main Singhdwara, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balarama, and Devi Subhadra are adorned with gold jewelry, and enormous people visit to pay their worship.

The Three Chariots

The chariot of Devi Subhadra is 44.6 feet in height and has 14 wheels, and identified as Devadalana. The chariot of Lord Balabhadra is built of 45 feet high with 16 wheels, and known as Taladhvaja. Lord Jagannath’s chariot is created of 45.6 feet high including 18 wheels and is called Nandighosa. These three chariots are beautified with several colors and designs by the Puri artists who exhibit their keenness for the Yatra, and devotion for the Gods.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="712"] Chariots Nandighosa, Taladhvaja, and Devadalana (www.parikramatravel.com)[/caption]

Popularity of Rath Yatra Festival

Many parts of the country have Iscon Temples and exclusive Jagannath Temples. Lord Jagannath, Lord Balrama, and Devi Subhadra go out in their chariots and visit the whole city, meeting their devotees. Many cities abroad celebrate the Car Festival. It is a pleasure as well as huge blessing to participate and be a part of Rath Yatra festival for the people including tourists. They even feel honored to have Prasad at the Jagannath Temple.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="702"] Rath Yatra Celebration taking place in other parts of the country (www.ahmedabadadlife.com)[/caption]

Wishing everyone Happy Rath Yatra! If you have the opportunity to view Lord Jagannath, Lord Balarama, and Devi Subhadra while they pass in their chariots, be a part of this festival and be blessed!

Watch out the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra Video 2015:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B36PgMVsdQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-rAarLHNZg

You can watch the live telecast of Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2016 on Odiya television channels. You can also watch the Live telecast on YouTube!

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