Jagannath Rath Yatra - Puri Rath Yatra 2018

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2018 - observed as Puri-Rath Yatra in Odisha is uniquely celebrated not only in Jagannath Temple, puri but in other Jagannath temples across the world.

Puri Rath Yatra- one of the renowned Car Festivals, commemorated with lot of pomp and solemnity for 15 days in Puri, Odisha. These presiding deities inside the main- Jagannath temple are embraced with beautiful decorated items to visit his aunt’s house- Gundicha Mandir situated on the other side of Jagannath temple puri.

Three chariots, one for each God is famed as ‘Rath’ during this festival. These Big enchanting cars (chariots) are embellished with different and unique accessories and millions of people witness the holiest- Jagannath Rath Yatra every year. Each Year, three new chariots are decorated with experts and skilful chariot makers which are processed with gaiety and fervour on the streets of Jagannath temple puri. Jagannath Rath Yatra 2018These workers come a long way from the Dasapalla and Ranpur forests and are hired for 2-3 months to construct one of kinds chariots for this big festivity- Puri Rath YatraDuring this great- Jagannath Rath Yatra puri, before visiting to their aunt’s place, Lord Jagannath, his sister- Goddess Shubhadra and his elder brother-Lord Balavadra are worshipped all together in their respective huge and adorned chariots (cars), named as- Nandighosha, Padmadhwaja, Taladhwaja.

These Chariots are recognized by the colours. Nandighosha- the chariot of Jagannath has a combination of yellow and red colour canopy and that of Padmadhwaja – Shubhadra’s chariot has black and red color canopy wrapped around whereas, Taladhwaja- the chariot of Balabhadra has a red and green colour canopy on the chariot.

Starting from the first day of the festivity-Jagannath Rath Yatra puri, these three idols are carried out on the chariots from the Jagannath temple premises and this ritual is stated as-Pahundi veeje.

After Pahundi veeje, Chera Pahara- cleaning the chariots is the second main ritual performed by the local priests outside the Jagannath temple.

Hera Panchami & Jagannath Rath Yatra 2018Niladri Bije- the last ritual of this beguiling car festival- Jagannath Rath Yatra (Puri Rath Yatra) in which an eye-catching but fascinating fight takes place, just outside the Jagannath temples in between- Lord Jagannath and his beautiful consort- Goddess- Laxmi. Goddess- Laxmi was a bit annoyed with Lord Jagannath because while leaving from the Jagannath Temple puri for vacations to his aunt’s place, he didn’t ask her to accompany along with his siblings. On this account, Goddess Laxmi didn’t allow him to enter inside the Jagannath temple. Only after giving a sweet dish- rasgulla to her, she became calm and permitted to come inside Jagannath temple puri.

These are some of the enthralling rituals, which are observed at the time of the magnificent- Puri rath Yatra, however there are much more rituals and traditional customs concatenated with this Puri Festival, commemorated at Jagannath temples.

In Hindu- Mythology and culture, each compelling festival has many incredible facts and folklores. Moreover, being the most awaited and happening festival- Jagannath Rath Yatra (Puri Rath Yatra) has now become the biggest and the exciting holy observance.