Jagannath Yatra: Journey of God to aunt’s place

Jagannath Yatra: Journey of God to aunt’s place

P urusottam Khetra or Puri observes a number of festivals in a year. Amongst them Ratha Yatra or the Car Festival is the greatest which has achieved international fame. As Puri has been known by several names over the centuries such as Niladri, Nilagiri, Nilachal, Purusottam, Sri Khetra, Sankha Khetra, Jagannatha Dhama or Jagannatha Puri. So also the Car Festival. This festival is also known as Gundicha Yatra or Ghosa Yatra. This festival is observed in the month of Asadha Sukla Duitiya (second day of moon fort night in the month of Asadha i.e. corresponding to June – July). The eities Lord Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe along with brother Balabhadra, sister Subhadra and ayudha Sudarshana are taken out of the famous sacred sanctorum Jagannath temple in an elaborate ritual procession called Pahandi to their respective colourful chariots. This is an annual vacation for the deities who undertake the journey to their aunt’s house known as Gundhicha Ghar. As the deities cover the distance from their place of stay called the Srimandir to the Gundicha Ghar by the Chariots or Raths pulled by countless devotees, this is known as ‘Ratha Yatra or Car Festival’. The three deities go by separate chariots to the aunt’s house as ‘Bada Danda’ or the Grand Road. The chariot of Lord Jagannatjh is known as Nandighosa, elder brother Balabhadra’s chariot is known as ‘Taladhwaja’ and sister Subhadra’s chariot is named as ‘Darpadalana’. Ayudh ‘Sudarshan’ travel in the chariot of Devi Subhadraas a protection ring to the Lord Jaganath’s sister. Lord Jaganath's rath Nandighosa has 832 pieces of wood with 16 wheels; Brother Balabhadra's Taladhawaja has 763 pieces of wood with 14 wheels, whereas sister Subhadra's Debadalan has 593 pieces and 12 wheels. The total wheels number 42. The coming and going of wheels during the festival comes to 84. According to the Hindu belief the sound of the wheels during the pulling of the chariots washes the sins and helps the viewers to skip the bondage of 84 narks (hells). A glimpse of the Lord Jaganath, the Vaman incarnation of the Lord Bishnu on chariot prevent a viewer from rebirth. According to a Sanskrit hymn ‘Rathe To Vamanam drustwa punarjanma na laveth’. Once the deities ascend their respective chariots, the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri has to sweep the chariot with the golden broom and the ritual is called ‘Chhera Pachara’. After this ritual only, the chariots are pulled. The deities remain in the Gundicha Mandir for nine days and return to the main temple in similar fashion. The return journey is known as the Bahuda Yatra. During the nine days stay at the Gundicha Mandir rituals are performed as per the tradition. When the unique tradition of the Car Festival started has different views. While the word RATHA finds mention in the ‘Rig’ and ‘Atharva’ veda and the Sun God ascending the chariot is linked to mythologies, still some scholars connect this festival to the Budhhist tradition. The significance of the car festival is that lakhs of devotees get the opportunity to have a darshan of their deities. It seems that the deities come out side to mingle with the general public. The car festival has become so popular that it is not limited to Puri only. Similar car festivals are being celebrated at different parts of the country and in foreign countries also. Lord Jagannath’s worship is very closely associated with the sentiment of every Odia. One can find this festival at almost all nooks and corners of Odisha. Lord Jagannath and his car festival symbolizes unity and integrity. The Lord though sits at Puri yet, He is the Lord of the Universe. Devotees from around the World cutting across the nationalities, religions, caste, creed and sect, through with utmost devotion to have a glimpse of the Lord who is the symbol of synthesis, unity and integration. All belong to HIM and HE belongs to all. All are equal before his eyes. Raja Jai Singh the valiant genre of Emperor Akbar during his conquest of this land in 1580 AD had said, ‘The pious land of Lord Jagannath, Odisha is not a land to be conquered but to be worshipped because it is above the aspirations of human being, it is the land of Gods’.