Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023: A Look At Various Rath Yatra Festivals Across India
Aside from the well-known Puri Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra, there are several other notable Rath Yatra festivals held throughout the country. Let's take a look at some of these fascinating events.
The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra, an annual festival held in the city of Puri, Odisha, is steeped in rich history that spans centuries. This vibrant celebration originated from the desire of Devi Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath, to visit Puri. In response, Lord Jagannath and his brother Lord Balabhadra embarked on a chariot journey to fulfill her wish. Since then, the Rath Yatra has been observed annually according to the Hindu calendar.
In addition to the famous Puri Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra, there are several other noteworthy Rath Yatra festivals celebrated throughout the country. Let's explore some of these captivating events:
1. Puri Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra:
The Rath Yatra in Puri takes place on the "Shukla Tithi" of the Bengali month of "Asar." This year, on June 20, the revered Shri Jagannath is being celebrated through the Rath Yatra.
The beautifully decorated chariots, resembling temples, traverse through the streets of Puri. The journey begins at the Gundicha Temple, located around 2 km from the main Jagannath temple.
This auspicious occasion attracts people from different castes and countries, offering them a chance to witness the deities. Pilgrims eagerly await the opportunity to touch and pull the holy chariot's rope, seeking blessings.
2. Baripada Rath Yatra In Mayurbhanj:
The Baripada Rath Yatra, also known as 'Dwitiya Srikshetra', is the second most popular Rath Yatra after Puri. As per the records, the tradition of Rath Yatra in Baripada dates back to 1575. Notably, during the 1975 International Women's Day, women took the lead in pulling the chariot of 'Devi Subhadra' for the first time.
Baripada boasts two temples dedicated to Lord Jagannath. The larger temple arranges three chariots to carry the deities to the Gundicha Temple, while the smaller Banthia Jagannath Temple has one chariot, exclusively pulled by children. The grand road, known as Bada-danda, witnesses thousands of devotees coming together to pull the chariots, which are adorned with pure cotton and chandua fabric.
3. ISCKON Rath Yatra In Kolkata And West Bengal:
The ISCKON-organised Rath Jatra Festival in Kolkata is the world's second-largest Rath Yatra celebration. At the age of six, Srila Prabhupada, a revered monk, founded the festival in Kolkata nearly a century ago.
Srila Prabhupada reinstated the festival in Kolkata in 1972, after a 70-year hiatus. The grand procession begins at the Radha Govinda temple, with massive chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, Lord Baldev, and Subhadra Devi idols. Before returning to the Radha Govinda Temple, they travel through well-known streets such as Camac Street, Park Street, Chaurangi, Chittaranjan Avenue, and Mahatma Gandhi Road. Thousands of excited spectators line the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of this magnificent event.
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4. Mahesh Ratha Yatra In Hooghly District:
Mahesh, located in the Hooghly district, holds significant historical importance as the second oldest Rath Yatra festival in India, following Puri.
It is Bengal's oldest chariot festival. Devotees take the chariot to the Lord's garden house to the north of the Mahesh and return it after eight days. On this occasion, a massive fair is held. Every year since 1397, the chariot has been constantly renovated.
On July 1, Mahesh's Rath Jatra celebrated its 623rd anniversary. The Rath Yatra is mentioned in Bankim Chandra's 'Radharani' story, and Chaitanyadev himself came here for the chariot festival.
5. Keonjhar Rath Yatra:
According to legend, King Laxminarayan Bhanj dreamed of the location of the idol of Sri Baldev Jew. He went to the Baitarani banks and discovered it. In 1961, King Bhanj erected the idol on a massive rock. Raja Gopal Sandha of Kujang later built a temple there years later. Since then, the Rath Yatra has been celebrated in the area.
This temple is the state's oldest temple. It is located in Keonjhar's Old Town and contains many small temples. The temple is a popular pilgrimage site in Keonjhar. The Rath Yatra is famous for its 72-foot-tall Lord Jagannath chariot, which is taller than the Jagannath chariot in Puri (45.6 feet).
Previously, tribal people performed Jhinka Bibah (unusual marriage) during Rath Yatra. They used to choose their partner and apply vermilion to their foreheads while dancing. This tradition, however, is now extinct.
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