Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024: Preparations To Rituals- Know All About The Celebrations In Odisha

Rathyatra is the biggest festival observed in Jagannath Puri Mandir every year featuring the ceremonial procession of Lord Jagannath along with Balabhadra and Subhadra.

Jagannath Rath Yatra

It is the time when Mahaprabhu himself comes out to give darshan to his bhakts along with his brother Balram ji and his sis devi Subhadra.

Every year on Ashadh Sud Bij, the deities are placed on colourful chariots, the construction of which has started on the auspicious Akshaya Tritiya.

The bhakts pull the chariots from the Jagannath Temples along the streets of Puri to Gundicha temple.

Three new Raths are built every year before the festival begins and are designed in a specific way. You can easily distinguish the difference by size, the number of wheels, and the colour.

Before the rath yatra, the king of Puri sweeps the floor with a golden broom. This act of cleaning the lord’s path symbolises the fact that even the king is only a servant of God.

The main rath is of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and is known as Nandighosa. It has 16 wheels and is covered in red and yellow clothing. The charioteer of this Rath is Daruka, and the rope that pulls the rath is called Sankhachuda.

Sri Balabhadra’s rath is known as Taladhvaja. It has 14 wheels and it is clothed in red and green. The charioteer’s name is Matali, and the rope pulling the rath is Vasuli.

Devi Subhadra’s rath is named Deviratha or Darpadalana. It has 12 wheels and features red and black clothes. The charioteer is Arjun, and the rope is called Swarnachuda.

Rituals for RathYatra- 1. Dev Snan: It is the most important ritual where the idol is bathed and prepared for the rath yatra. It is observed on a full Moon day.

2. Hathi Besha: The idols are then dressed in Hathi Vesha (elephant attire) after the bath. While Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra are dressed like elephants, Devi Subhadra wears a lotus flower dress.

3. Anasara: After the Snana Yatra, the deities are believed to fall ill and are allowed to recuperate for 15 days. During this time, there is no darshan, instead, three Pattachitra paintings of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and devi Subhadra are worshipped in the temple.

4. Netroseva: On the 16th day devotees can take a look at the idols. The ceremony of the first appearance of Lord Jagannath is called Netroseva.

5. Bahuda Yatra: The return journey of the three deities from Gundicha mandir to the Jagannath Mandir is known as Bahuda Yatra.

All images: X/@varshaparmar06