Puri Rath Yatra stands apart from other festivals because of its mass participation, legends associated with it, religious fervour and simply because of its sheer size and scale. It is the time when Lord Jagannath along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra comes out of his temple abode and literally hits the road for nine days.
During the festival period, Jagannath stay at Gundhicha Temple, a shrine built by a fervent devotee for him. In the process, the Lord grants audience to multitudes including those who are barred entry into the Puri Temple.
Located about three km away from the Jagannath Temple at the end of Bada Danda or the Grand Avenue, Gundicha Temple is named after Queen Gundicha, the wife of King Indradyumna who built the Puri Jagannath Temple. Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings, visits the temple to honour the devotion of Queen Gundicha. The Rath Yatra or car festival marks Lord Jagannath’s trip to Gundicha’s Temple and his stay there.
For lesser mortals, the occasion is an opportunity of a life time. Hindus believe that mere darshan or glimpse of the deity is sure to grant you moksha (salvation). Pulling the chariot or merely touching it confers the blessings of several lifetimes. According to the Skanda Purana, a glimpse of the deities at the Gundicha Temple during the Rath Yatra is equal to attaining the benefits of sacrificing a thousand horses. Sacrificing horses was an immensely priestly deed as per Hindu traditions.
Lakhs of devotees head to the temple town of Puri each year to participate in the Rath Yatra seized with the desire to purge themselves of sins. The festival is held on the second day of Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in Ashadh Maas (June-July).
Multitudes turn out to join the Lord in his sojourn and keep him company during the days of the festival. It is the only time when non-Hindus can get a glimpse or touch the Lord as non-Hindus are barred from entry into the temple. The archaic law has ensured that even foreign nationals, who have converted to Hinduism, are also barred from entering the temple.
So huge is the rush and joustling among the devotees that people have toppled onto the path of the chariots and lost their lives. Such fatal incidents reportedly led to the coining of the word juggernaut which signifies literal or metaphorical force regarded as mercilessly destructive and unstoppable. Apart from the scores which gather at Puri, millions watch the chariot festival from the confines of their homes.
The chariots are huge wooden vehicles made to resemble the temples. Decorated as per rituals followed for centuries, each of the chariots has a name of its own. While the Lord travels on his Nandighosa, Lord Balabhadra’s vehicle is called Taladhwaja and chariot of Goddess Subhadra is known as Dwarapadalana or the ‘trampler of pride’.
Just to help understand the massive size of the chariots, here are some statistics. Nandighosa, at its height, measures 45 ft and 45 ft broad at the level of its wheels. It moves on 16 wheels, each wheel is seven ft in diameter. Taladhwaja, despite being the chariot of the elder brother, is 44 ft high and has 14 wheels. Dwarapadalana is 43 ft high and has twelve wheels.
It is not only the size that differentiates the three chariots. A golden yellow strip of cloth covers Lord Jagannath’s chariot as he is seen as a manifestation of Lord Krishna. Krishna used to wear Peetambar. Lord Balabhadra’s chariot is adorned with a blue strip while Subhadra’s chariot is adorned with black, which is associated with the Mother Goddess.
Tradition also guides the construction of the chariots. New chariots are made each year with wood from specific trees brought from the erstwhile princely state of Daspalla. Hereditary carpenters are entrusted with the task of building the chariots.
Rituals and traditions also mark the start and construction of the chariots. Construction begins on Akshaya Tritiya, among the three and half auspicious days in Hindu calendar. The rituals are held in the presence of the erstwhile King of Puri. The chariots are built in 58 days. The construction process has remained unchanged since the first Rath Yatra held several years ago.
Lord Jagannath’s chariot is made out of 832 pieces of wood, Lord Balabhadra’s chariot uses 763 pieces of wood and Goddess Subhadra’s chariot is made out of 539 pieces of wood.
As the chariots roll out of the temple compound, a mass hysteria seizes the accompanying multitudes. Bhajans, the beat of drums and cymbals, the blowing of the conch; all add to the euphoria.
The lord and his siblings stay at the Gundicha Temple for seven days. On their return journey, the trio stops at the Mausi Maa Temple or the shrine dedicated to their aunt. Situated mid-way on the Bada Danda or the Grand Avenue in front of the Jagannath Temple, the Mausi Maa temple is dedicated to Goddess Ardhashini.
According to legend, Lord Jagannath and Balbhadra were left paupers after Goddess Lakshmi left Shri Mandir. Both had to go out begging. During their brief stopover at Mausi Maa temple, the three deities partake of an offering called ‘Poda Pitha’, a kind of pancake favoured by the Lord and generally eaten by the poor.
Another interesting legend associated with Lord Jagannath is that of 17th century devotional poet Salabega. Son of a Mughal subedar and a Muslim by birth, Salabeg turned a Krishna devotee after being severely wounded in battle. Cured miraculously, Salabeg went to Puri. However, he was denied entry as he was a Muslim. So great was his love for Sri Krishna that Salabeg went to Vrindavan to learn more about his favourite God.
At Vrindavan, he had the desire to see the Rath Yatra and rushed to Puri. However, on the way he suddenly fell ill. Feeling utterly helpless and realizing that he would not reach Puri in time for the festival, Salabeg beseeched Lord Jagannath to wait until he arrived. Salabeg’s prayers were answered and despite the best efforts of the crowd, Nandighosa did not move until Salabeg arrived. As a mark of respect for Salabeg and his devotion to Lord Jagannath, Nandighosa takes a brief halt each year near his samadhi.
With the spread of Krishna cult, Rath Yatras are organised in several parts of India and also in the West. While such festivals can’t match the ardor, the size and scale of the Puri Rath Yatra, they are an opportunity for devotees to express their devotion.
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