Ratha Yatra, also known as the Car Festival, is a highly significant Hindu festival celebrated in Odisha, India, and other parts of the world. It commemorates the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra, in their massive chariots.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are considered the divine siblings and are believed to be the manifestations of Lord Krishna, Lord Balarama, and their sister Subhadra respectively. Their lineage is associated with the Yadava dynasty, and they are revered as the presiding deities of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha.
Ratha Yatra takes place during the month of Ashadha (June-July) as per the Hindu calendar. It begins on the second day of the waxing phase of the moon (Dvitiya Shukla Paksha) and continues for nine days, culminating on the day of Bahuda Ekadashi.
The making of the ratha involves intricate craftsmanship and rituals. The chariots are constructed using sacred wood imported from specific forests. The main chariot of Lord Jagannath, called Nandighosa, requires specific types of wood like phassi, dhausa, and asana. The wood is ceremonially chosen and sanctified, and artisans skillfully carve and assemble the chariots, following ancient guidelines.
The chariots are colossal structures, each with distinct features. Nandighosa, the tallest of the three, represents Lord Jagannath and has sixteen wheels. Taladhwaja, the chariot of Balabhadra, has fourteen wheels, while Darpadalan symbolizes Subhadra and has twelve wheels. The chariots are adorned with vibrant fabrics, intricate designs, and decorative elements.
On the day of the festival, devotees gather in Jagannath Puri, where the deities are ceremonially brought out of the temple and placed on their respective chariots. The chariot journey during the Rath Yatra is open to devotees of all religions. The Rath Yatra exemplifies the inclusive nature of the festival, where people of different beliefs come together to celebrate and seek the blessings of the deities. It serves as a reminder that devotion and spirituality transcend religious boundaries, uniting devotees in their love for the divine.
Folk Lore: Salabega, the son of Mughal subedar Lalbeg, was born to a Brahmin widow who married Lalbeg. Despite social divisions, Salabega's mother secretly worshipped Lord Jagannath while embracing her new life. As Salabega grew older, a near-fatal injury in battle led to his miraculous recovery through his mother's prayers to Lord Jagannath. Filled with a profound sense of indebtedness, Salabega embarked on a journey to Puri to seek the darshan (divine sight) of Lord Jagannath. However, due to the prevailing distrust between communities, the temple priests denied him entry. Undeterred, Salabega displayed unwavering patience and faith. He decided to wait for the annual Rath Yatra, a grand chariot festival. On one occasion, as SalaBega was delayed in coming back to his hut from Vrindavana, as on the way he suddenly fell ill and feared missing the Rath Yatra. Felling helpless, he prayed for divine intervention, pleaded with Lord Jagannath to wait for him. In a dream, the Lord assured him that He would indeed wait. True to His word, when the chariot of Lord Jagannath reached Salabega's hut, it refused to move despite the efforts of many to pull or push it. By then, the King of Puri and all priests were worried. The head priest had a dream where lord Jagannath told him not to worry, and the Lord was waiting for his devotee! So the chariot remained stationary for a remarkable seven days, all rituals of Lord Jagannath, all pujas were done on the Chariot itself. SalaBega finally arrived and had his darshan, and worshipped the Lords.
With great fanfare and devotion, the chariots are pulled through the streets by thousands of devotees, a procession ensues towards the Gundicha Temple located 3 km away, known as the Gundicha Yatra. The temple is believed to have been named after Queen Gundicha, the wife of King Indradyumna, who was a Malava king mentioned in the Mahabharata.
According to the Skanda Purana, "King Indradyumna was a great devotee of Lord Jagannath. It is believed that the king received divine instructions in his dreams to search for a wooden log from which the deities' idols could be carved. After obtaining the log, the king commissioned the skilled sculptor Visvakarma to carve the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. When the celestial architect was building the magnificent Jagannath Temple, Queen Gundicha chanced upon the site and was captivated by its grandeur. She was so awestruck by the temple that she requested her husband, King Indradyumna, to construct another similar temple in honor of the deity, Lord was pleased enough to visit her house every year, to his true devotee”.
The Gundicha Temple, also known as the Mausi Maa Temple, is considered the maternal aunt's house of Lord Jagannath. The term "Mausi" translates to "maternal aunt" in the local Odia language. It is believed that during the Ratha Yatra, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra travel from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple as a symbolic visit to their aunt's house.
Folk lore: It was also believed that lord Jagannath left his wife Lakshmi in Shrimandira (Jagannath temple) deliberately to enjoy his vacations with gopi and devadasis.
Arrival at Gundicha Temple: Upon reaching the Gundicha Temple, the deities are ceremonially taken inside the temple premises. They are placed in the sanctum sanctorum and offered arati (a ritual involving the waving of lamps) and bhog (food offerings including the famous ‘poda pitha' made of lentil, rice, coconut, and jaggery).
Stay at Gundicha Temple: The deities stay at the Gundicha Temple for a period of 9 days, known as the Navadina Yatra. During this time, devotees have the opportunity to visit the temple and seeking the blessings of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.
The return journey from the Gundicha Temple to the Jagannath Temple is known as Bahuda Yatra and takes place on the ninth day of Ratha Yatra. It symbolises Lord Jagannath's return to his abode, signifying the culmination of his visit to Queen Gundicha's home.
The Ratha Yatra festival holds immense spiritual and cultural significance, as it symbolizes the journey of the divine to connect with his devotees. It is believed that participating in the chariot pulling during Ratha Yatra bestows great blessings and purifies the soul.
Ratha Yatra is not only celebrated in Jagannath Puri but also in various other cities and countries with Lord Jagannath temples. The festival brings together people from different backgrounds, fostering unity, devotion, and a sense of community.
Overall, Ratha Yatra is a grand and sacred festival that encompasses mythology, tradition, craftsmanship, and deep devotion. It serves as a powerful reminder of the divine presence and a celebration of the eternal bond between Lord Jagannath and his devotees.