Jagannath Rath Yatra: Puri 2024, Celebrate the grand annual procession where millions gather to witness Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra’s chariots moving through the streets of Puri, a festival of immense spiritual significance and vibrant cultural festivities.
Jagannath Rath Yatra: Puri 2024
Puri ,a town in central Odisha, comes alive with excitement every year during the Rath Yatra celebration. Known as the chariot festival of Goddess Subhadra, Lord Jagannath, and Lord Balabhadra, this occasion is the biggest, most cherished, and most popular Hindu celebration in the area. Every year, on the second day of Shukla Paksha in June or July, Hindu devotees from all over the world gather at the famous Jagannath Temple to seek heavenly blessings. Discover the most ideal time to visit Jagannath Temple for an incredibly engaging experience by reading the fascinating Facts About Puri Jagannath Temple.
Rath Yatra date – July 7(Sunday) 2024
(Puri Rath Yatra 2024 will start on the 29th June and celebrated on 7th July)
Location – Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha
About the Jagannath Temple
One of the most sacred places in India for Hindus is the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The temple dates back to the 12th century, under the Chodaganga Dynasty, and has a significant cultural value.
Till where do the chariots go – The Gundicha temple is a few kilometers away from the Jagannath Temples, and pilgrims draw chariots from there through Puri’s streets.
How many chariots are there – Three: one for his brother, Lord Jagannath; two for his sister, Goddess Subhadra; and one for his brother, Lord Balabhadra.
The most well-known of the 148 festivals that the temple celebrates each year is the Jagannath Rath Yatra, which takes place in the month of Asadha. It draws millions of devoted followers. As the Gods emerge from their sanctuaries to grant their devotees darshan, this yearly mega event is a unique opportunity for all Hindu believers.
During the celebration, the elderly and ill who are unable to visit the shrine can see the deity and ask for her blessings. such an open religious celebration, according to local beliefs, dispels the fear of death and natural disasters.
When to visit: June or July, specifically during the Hindu lunar month of Ashadha.
Rath Yatra 2024 Date and Timings:
Rath Yatra Date: Sunday, July 7, 2024
Dwitiya Tithi Begins: 04:26 AM on Jul 07, 2024
Dwitiya Tithi Ends: 04:59 AM on Jul 08, 2024
Things to see:
- Jagannath Temple: the center of the celebration, where you can engage and see the gods.
- Rath Yatra Procession: Take in the magnificent spectacle of Puri’s chariot procession through its streets.
- Gundicha Temple: See the rites and ceremonies at the temple where the gods spend a few days during the celebration.
How to reach:
- By Air: Fly to Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, then take a taxi or bus to Puri.
- By Train: Travel to Puri Railway Station, which connects well to major cities, by train.
- By Road: Drive or take a bus from nearby cities like Bhubaneswar or Kolkata.
About the Rath and Rath Yatra Rituals
Every year, three freshly constructed Raths with unique designs are constructed prior to the festival’s start. The differences in size, number of wheels, and color are immediately discernible. The primary deity, Nandighosa, is the name of Lord Jagannath’s chariot, or rath. The rath is dressed in red and yellow and has sixteen wheels. Daruka pulls this rath with a rope known as Sankhachuda.
Taladhvaja is the name of the rath of Lord Balabhadra. It has fourteen wheels and is decked in red and green. Matali is the name of the charioteer, and Vasuli is the one pulling the rath rope.
Deviratha, also known as Darpadalana, is the rath of Goddess Subhadra. It is dressed in black and red and has twelve wheels. Arjun is the charioteer, while Swarnachuda is the name of the rope.
Every year, three freshly constructed Raths with unique designs are constructed prior to the festival’s start. The differences in size, number of wheels, and color are immediately discernible. The primary deity, Nandighosa, is the name of Lord Jagannath’s chariot, or rath. The rath, dressed in red and yellow with sixteen wheels, moves pulled by a rope known as Sankhachuda, with Daruka as its charioteer.
Taladhvaja is the name of the rath of Lord Balabhadra. It is dressed in green and red and has fourteen wheels. Matali is the name of the charioteer, and Vasuli is the one pulling the rath rope.
Deviratha, also known as Darpadalana, is the rath of Goddess Subhadra. It wears black and red attire and has twelve wheels. Arjun is the charioteer, while Swarnachuda is the name of the rope.
Bahuda Yatra:
The journey that the three gods take from the Gundicha Temple back to the Lord Jagannath Temple is called the Bahuda Yatra. This parade, which usually starts on the tenth day of the Ashadha month, signifies the end of the ten-day festivity.
Significance of the Rath Yatra festival
For Hindus, the event is very important, especially for those who are pursuing penance and moral virtue. Dragging the rope attached to the Gods’ chariots or even touching it is believed to bring multiple blessings and penances. According to legend, at the feast, all of the Lord’s possessions unite with the Godhead.
Why should you visit the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra festival?
You must attend the festival in order to experience the heavenly environment among all the other devotees and witness the festival events take place, in addition to asking God’s favor and lowering your head in homage to the deities. Furthermore, it’s an unmissable festival for those keen to experience the joyful atmosphere and rich Indian culture.
There is an overall feeling of utter joy and spirituality throughout the festival, and there is a color riot everywhere you look. You won’t soon forget the scene with its packed stores, ecstatic followers, and vivid colors.
Additionally, delicious food completes no Indian celebration. During the festival, you can spot several stores lining the Lords’ Chariot Pathway and outside the temple, serving Lord Jagannath’s favorite foods. Try some of the most well-liked dishes, like Poda pitha and jaggery pancakes.
Some interesting facts about the Puri Rath Yatra
- Fifteen of Puri’s most talented tailors use 1200 meters of cloth to create the canopies atop the chariots, designed to mimic the architecture of the temple.
- Before the start of the rath yatra, or the gods’ journey on chariots, the Puri monarch Gajapati reportedly sweeps the floor with a golden broom. Cleaning the lord’s way is a sign of how even the king is but God’s servant.
- Records show that there has never been a Rath Yatra without significant rainfall. Every year on the day of the festival, Puri experiences a lot of rain.
- All year long, the Jagannath temple adheres to a number of regulations. For instance, the temple is exclusively open to Hindus. Nonetheless, regardless of caste or faith, everyone can view the lord on the day of Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra and ask for his blessing.
- The British coined the term “juggernaut,” referring to a strong force, upon seeing Lord Jagannath’s enormous chariot during the Rath Yatra celebration.
- Make your reservations as the Jagannath Rath Yatra: Puri 2024 is quickly approaching and start planning an interesting trip. if you are going to Puri for the festival and would like to see some of the other neighboring attractions in Puri, you may look into the best resort in the east and make your reservations well in advance to save trouble at the last minute.
Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra, a significant Hindu event, takes place annually in Puri, India, honoring Lord Jagannath’s close relationship with his followers. Millions attend from around the world, exploring the temple’s fascinating history.
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