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Every year on the auspicious day of Ashadh Sud 2, in late june or early July, the Rath Yatra festival celebrated by Hindus. Rath means chariot, Yatra - a pilgrimage or procession. Though this festival is celebrated all over India and world, it originated in Jagannath Dham - Puri (Odisha) on the eastern coast of India. Every year the deities of Jagannath Mandir - Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra - are traditionally installed on huge chariots called Rath. Devotees pull the chariots in a yatra (procession) through the street called Bada Danda. The local king used to serve by humbly sweeping the road ahead with a golden broom. The Car Festival (Rath Yatra) starts from Shree Jagannath Temple and ends at Shree Gundicha Temple (Mausi Maa Mandir) a distance about 3 KM.
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Schedule of rituals on Rath Yatra (Car Festival) - 7th July 2024
 02:00 AM : Mangala Aarati
02:10 AM : Mailam
02:30 AM : Abakasha
02:40 AM : Dasa Avtar Thakura Bahuda Bije
03:00 AM : Opening of door (Tati phitiba)
03:30 AM : Dhua dhui hoi chuna padiba
03:45 AM : Daitapati Sarbanga, Bandapana
04:00 AM : Netrotsav Bandapana
04:00 AM : Roshahoma (morning)
04:15 AM : Rajaniti
04:45 AM : Jatranga Mahasnana
04.50 AM : Mailam
05:10 AM : Worship of Sun God (Surya Puja)
05:25 AM : Dwarapala puja
05:45 AM : End of besha (Besha sesha)
06:00 AM - 07:00 AM : Gopala Ballava & Ghanta Chhata Sakala Dhupa
07:30 AM - 12:30 PM : Senapata lagi
11:00 AM : Ratha Pratisha (Establishment of Ratha)
01:00 PM : Mangalarpana
01:10 PM : Pahandi Yatra start (Journey of Deities from Shree Mandir to Ratha)
02:30 PM : Phandi Yatra end
03:00 PM : Sri Madanmohan, Sri Ram, Sri Krushna Bije
04:00 PM : Chheraa Paharaa, Aarti
04:30 PM : Tag Hourses to Ratha (Charaphita & fixing of horses)
5:00 PM Onwords : Start of Rath Yatra (Three ratha move towords Gundichaa Mandir)
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HISTORY
| Ratha Yatra 2000 | 3rd July, Monday |
| Ratha Yatra 2001 | 23rd June, Saturday |
| Ratha Yatra 2002 | 12th July, Friday |
| Ratha Yatra 2003 | 1st July, Tuesday |
| Ratha Yatra 2004 | 19th June, Saturday |
| Ratha Yatra 2005 | 8th July, Friday |
| Ratha Yatra 2006 | 27th June, Tuesday |
| Ratha Yatra 2007 | 27th June, Wednesday |
| Ratha Yatra 2008 | 4th July, Friday |
| Ratha Yatra 2009 | 24th June, Wednesday |
| Ratha Yatra 2010 | 13th July, Tuesday |
| Ratha Yatra 2011 | 3rd July, Sunday |
| Ratha Yatra 2012 | 21st June, Thursday |
| Ratha Yatra 2013 | 10th July, Wednesday |
| Ratha Yatra 2014 | 29th June, Sunday |
| Ratha Yatra 2015 | 18th July, Saturday |
| Ratha Yatra 2016 | 6th July, Wednesday |
| Ratha Yatra 2017 | 25th Jun, Sunday |
| Ratha Yatra 2018 | 14th July, Saturday |
| Ratha Yatra 2019 | 4th July, Thursday |
| Ratha Yatra 2020 | 23rd June, Tuesday |
| Ratha Yatra 2021 | 12th July, Monday |
| Ratha Yatra 2022 | 1st July, Friday |
| Ratha Yatra 2023 | 20th June, Tuesday |
| Ratha Yatra 2024 | 7th July, Sunday |
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| CELEBRATIONS |
Amidst the resounding clash of cymbals, and the tumultuous thundering of drums, the three gods, Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra leave their abode, the Jagannath temple, to journey to the Gundicha Mandir, three kilometers away from Jagannath temple towards north. Millions of devotees flock to the town to watch the trinity ride in their elaborate chariots through the streets of Puri. On all auspicious occasions, special ceremonies and rituals are performed replete with pomp and splendor in the temples of Puri, but nothing matches that of the Rath Yatra.
Since the portals of the Jagannath temple allow entry only to Hindus, one of the gods, Maitri Devta, who symbolizes universal brotherhood, steps outside during this time so people of all religions and castes can pay obeisance. A spiritual ambience pervades the whole scene as bells chime; conch shells blow and the saffron robed sadhus dance with abandon. It is fascinating to watch the delirious masses paying homage to the Lord as the chariots move on almost as if propelled by a divine force.
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| RITUALS |
A fortnight before the Rath Yatra, the three deities are given a holy bath on an open platform the Snana Vedi near Aananda Bazaar on the eastern side of the temple. Since the images become discolored as a result of the bath, they are kept away from the public. At this time, the deities are said to be ill and are left to rest in isolation.
A day before the procession, three gigantic chariots are exquisitely decorated and lined up outside the temple gates. Lord Jagannaths chariot, the red and yellow Nandighosh, is about 45 feet in height with 16 massive wheels and a gold dome on top. The red and green Taladhwaj is only slightly smaller and belongs to Balabhadra. The smallest, Darpodalona belongs to Subhadra, who travels between the chariots of her two brothers. These grandiose structures, with brightly colored canopied tops, resemble the 12th century Jagannath temple in shape. Embellished and decorated with tinsel and ancient accessories, each of the chariots has a large platform covered with huge flower umbrellas.
On the morning of the Yatra, the rhythmic clang of metal gongs, blowing of conch shells and trumpets and chanting of holy men fill the air as priests called Daityas vbring out the bedecked idols to their raths. Lord Jagannath makes his appearance first, amidst ecstatic cries of Jai Jagannath. The overwhelmed jubilant crowds work themselves into a state of devotional frenzy, as if hypnotized by the large eyes of their beloved Lord.
The procession then awaits the arrival of the Gajapati or the King of Puri. The king comes in a traditional palanquin, following a procession of decorated elephants and horses. The King of Puri is a descendant of the royal family of Orissa and has complete control over the management and property of the Jagannath temple.
He performs the Chhera Paharna, to express his humility before God. He sweeps the chariots with a gold broom and sprinkles holy water on them. There is a deafening roar of cheer as the procession inches ahead. Balabhadra the eldest brother takes the lead followed by Subhadra and Jagannath. The chariots are drawn by 50-metre long ropes attached to their front. Devotees surge ahead for an opportunity to give a hand in pulling the ropes, as it is believed that this will absolve them of all their sins and help them attain salvation.
One of the unique rituals of this procession is the Lords visit to his aunts house. It is said that the three siblings do not like visiting their aunt who is said to be mean. However, the three go to the mashibari after being ritually scolded by the head priest.
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| DETAILS |
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| Description |
Jagannatha's ratha is marked with a cakra and garuda, is yellow in color, with four white horses. The protecting deity is Nrsimha. |
Baladeva's cart is green, with a palm tree insignia, and four black horses. The protecting deity is Sesa. |
Subhadra's cart is black, with lotus insignia, protected by Vanadurga. |
| Name of the Chariot |
Nandighosha |
Taladhwaja |
Devadalana |
| Presiding Deties |
Lord Jagannath |
Lord Balabhadra |
Devi Subhadra |
| Colour of The Cloth |
Yellow, Red |
Green, Red |
Black, Red |
| Height |
33 Feet |
32 Feet |
31 Feet |
| No. of Wooden log used |
832 |
763 |
593 |
| Length and Breadth |
34 Feet 6 Inch X 34 Feet 6 Inch |
33 Feet X 33 Feet |
31 Feet 6 Inch X 31 Feet 6 Inch |
| No. of wheels and their heights |
18 (Now 16) / 6 Feet |
16 (Now 14) / 6 Feet 6 Inch |
12 / 6 Feet 8 Inch |
| No. of side deities |
9 idols and the door guard deities 2 idols |
9 idols and the door guard deities 2 idols |
9 idols and the door guard deities 2 idols |
| No. of horses and their Colour |
4 / White |
4 / Black |
4 / Red |
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| VIDEO |
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