Jagannath Rath Yatra – 2023, Puri
Puri Jagannath Temple remains one of the oldest temples of Lord Krishna. Balarama, Subhadra and Lord Krishna are worshiped by their devotees in this ancient temple. Every year Jagannath Rath Yatra festival is celebrated on the second day of Shukla Paksha. During the month of Ashad, the people of India and all Hindus sanction Yatra. But, mostly, we can observe a very happy and beautiful ceremony in Puri Jagannath Temple.
Rath Yatra Generally is also known as Gudicha Yatra, Dashavatara, Rathotsavam or Navadina Yatra. It is celebrated in the month of June Or July every year. Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri attracts 4-5 lakhs of pilgrims every year. A large number of Indians as well as foreigners flocked to see the idols in the chariot. It is believed that the coming year will be prosperous for those who have darshan of idols. This year Jagannath Rath Yatra will be held on Tuesday, June 20.
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Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023 Date and Time
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023 is going to be celebrated on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 in India. This year Jagannath Rathapuri Yatra is scheduled to begin on June 20, 2023 at 10:04 PM. And it ends on 21 June 2023 at 07:09 PM. This Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2023 date and time, Hindu devotees should not be discouraged to celebrate this festival.
Why do people celebrate Jagannath Rath Yatra?
Jagannath Rath Yatra is a very holy and joyful festival for Hindu religious people. On this auspicious day, the idols of Balaram Jagannatha and Subhadra come out from the Puri Jagannath Temple. Devotees make a very big chariot to house all the idols.
Later devotees pulled the chariot with thick ropes. It is believed that by pulling the chariot, devotees get the grace of Lord Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra. Bringing many traditional instruments, devotees and priests take the chariot to the heart temple. This celebration began when Lord Krishna suggested that he visit Mathura again with his siblings. Rath Yatra is believed to be the festival of these brothers going to Mathura.
History of Jagannath Rath Yatra
Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of the most historically and religiously important festivals in the country. The festival is also mentioned in the Puranas of Hinduism, including the Padma, Brahma and Skanda Puranas. Rath Yatra is performed every year in the belief that Lord Krishna visits his birthplace Mathura for a few days. To fulfill the wishes of the Lord, this yatra is held every year with the starting point being the Jagannath Temple. The final destination of the flamboyant procession is the Gundicha Temple, where Kanha’s wishes are fulfilled. It is one of the greatest and oldest festivals celebrated in India every year.
Types of Chariots
Undoubtedly, the rathas or ‘chariots’ are the focal point of the procession in Puri. As part of the ceremony there are three main chariots carrying the three deities. The three chariots are made of wood and decorated by local artisans. Jagannath’s chariot is the largest of the three with 16 massive wheels and a height of 44 feet. Lord Balabhadra’s chariot has 14 wheels and is 43 feet high, while Subhadra Devi’s chariot has 12 wheels and is 42 feet high.
- First among them is the Nandighosa Chariot, the sacred seat of Lord Jagannath with Lord Madan Mohan. Garuda guards the cart while Daruk is the driver. This chariot stands out with its yellow and red ornamental clothes, as these are the favorite colors of the Lord. This chariot is also known as Garuda Dhwaja chariot or Kapila chariot. Other deities in this chariot include Varaha, Gobardhan, Krishna, Gopi Krishna, Narsingh, Rama, Narayana, Trivikrama, Hanuman and Rudra.
- The second chariot is the Taladhwaja chariot and the presiding deity of this chariot is Bala Bhadra. The retinue deity is Rama Krishna, and the cart is decorated with red and blue-green clothes. Basudev guards this chariot, the charioteer Matali. Other deities in this chariot include Ganesh, Seshadeva, Muktiswara, Nathamvara, Mrityunjaya, Hatayudha, Pralambar, Sarvamangala and Karthikeya.
- The smallest of the three chariots is the Darpadalana chariot belonging to Jagannath’s sister goddess Subhadra. Jayadurga and the charioteer Arjuna guard the chariot adorned with red and black robes. Vimala, Mangala, Shyamakali, Varahi, Shulidurga, Vanadurga, Ugrathara, Chamunda and Chandi are also carried in this chariot.
In the Puri Rathayatra, Balarama’s chariot is pulled first, followed by Subhadra Devi followed by Jagannath’s chariot.
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Main attractions of Jagannath Rath Yatra
- Chandan Yatra :Today falls on Akshaya Tritiya. Also known as Chandan Yatra, it lasts for 42 days. The day also signifies farmers sowing seeds for the upcoming harvest. The Rath Yatra was begans from this day on every year.
- Bath trip : It is a bathing festival celebrated on Deba-Snana Purnima or full moon day of Jayeshtha month. It is Jagannath’s birthday and the three deities are brought out of the temple and taken in a procession to the bath bed. They are properly bathed and decorated.
- Pahandi : The journey of the image of the Holy Trinity—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balarama and Subhadra begins in an elaborate royal ceremony referred to as Pahandi. It means advancing step by step on the steps of Kahali, Ghanta and Telingi Bajas.A giant elephant is seen slowly coming out as the gods sway and move forward.
- Chera Pahanra: It is an elaborate and vibrant color ritual. In this ritual, the king of Puri is informed by a messenger that the deities are seated on their chariots. Dressed in spotless white, the young, active king steps forward, sitting on a silver palanquin. He gets down from the palanquins and climbs into the chariot one by one. After offering his prayers to the deity, he cleans the chariot platforms with a golden broom and sprinkles fragrant water and flowers on the surface of the chariot.
- Hera Panchami: This is the famous Lakshmi Devi ritual where Panchami means fifth day and see Hera. Celebrated on the fifth day of Rathotsavam, the representative idol of Goddess Mahalakshmi leaves for the Gundicha temple on a beautifully decorated palanquin to meet Lord Jagannath. This is a very exciting incident because Devi is angry with her husband Jagannath. There is a legend behind doing this vratam. Lakshmi Devi once got worried when her husband Jagannath did not come home for 5 days after saying that he would come in two days. It seems that he went to Gundicha temple to be with his siblings. To look for him, she went there in a beautifully decorated palanquin. And, apparently, this is the reason why devotees also carry the idols on palanquins to the temple.
- Suna Besha: There are a total 32 beshas or rupas this form is done on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi tithi or 11th day of Ashadha bright fortnight. On this day, the deities are adorned in beautiful and intricate gold ornaments.
- Niladri BJ: Niladri means Lord Jagannath and Bje means to enter. So this ritual, on the whole, translates to the homecoming of the gods. Before entering the temple the trinity offers rasagola bhog. Devotees are allowed to visit the temple only after performing this vrata.
How to Reach Puri Jagannath?
By air – The nearest airport to the temple is Biju Patnaik Airport, Bhubaneswar, which is 60 km from the temple. You can hire a cab or take a bus to Puri. The airport is well connected to important cities in India like Delhi, Nagpur, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Chennai.
By train – Puri is the last stop on the East Coast Railway. It is directly connected to important Indian cities like Delhi, Tirupati, Kolkata, Mumbai and Ahmedabad by express and other super-fast trains.
By road – Puri is easily connected by a good road network. Puri Bus Stand is located near Gundicha Temple which is well connected by government buses and private buses from Bhubaneswar, Konark, Cuttack, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam. You can hire a cab or drive yourself from nearby cities.
Accommodation options near Jagannath Temple Puri
Jagannath Temple is located in Puri and is one of the famous shrines in the country. There are many places to stay near the temple. The Jagannath temple Puri also offers online booking for its guest houses. Here are some popular places to stay near Jagannath Temple are, Niladari Bhakta Niwas, Shri Gundicha Bhakta Niwas, Neelachala Bhakta and Yatri Niwas, Madhusmriti, Mayfair Heritage, Mayfair Waves, Chanakya BNR Hotel.
Jagannath Rath Yatra Puri Temple Photos:
