Rath Yatra (Car Festival)

This spectacular chariot festival celebrated for 8 days, is held at the famous Jaganath Temple at Puri (Orissa). Thousands of devotees flock to Puri during the occasion as they believe that a glimpse of Lord Jagnath in his chariot gives salvation. Idols of Lord Jaganath - the Lord of the Universe, his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra are taken out in a procession in three immense wooden chariots. The main chariot is 14 meters high and 10 meters square with 16 wheels.   

The rituals start with 'Snana Purnima' i.e a ceremonial bath of the Lord, with 108 pots of well water on the full moon day before the yatra. This follows 'Anasara', symbolising rest for the dieties, when they are hidden for a 2 week period and repainted.

 Then the deities are brought out of the temple to the chariots by temple priests in a royal swinging procession of rhythmic movement called 'Pahandi', to the accompaniment of the beat of cymbals and drums, and chanting of prayers by devotees. The pushing and shoving to seat Lord Jagannath on his chariot continues for hours. The god it seems is testing the perseverance of his devotees. The devotees in turn coax, cajole, they promise sweetmeats and other delicacies, when all this fails, they call the Lord names and even give blows to the idol, all the while the surging crowd chants, sings and dances. It is believed that on these days Lord Jagannath will descend from his pedestal, and mingle with his devotees with no barrier between them.

After 'Rath Pratishta' i.e seating the idols in the beautifully decorated Rath, the titular King of Puri performs the ceremonial 'Chhera Pahanra', the age-old ritual of sweeping the chariots with a golden broom and sprinkling sandalwood water and flowers, perhaps symbolising that all are equal before God.

Thousands of devotees pull these chariots to Gundicha Mandir, a temple 3 km away believed to be the birthplace of Lord Jagannath. After a week, on 'Ashadha Sukla Dasami', the 10th day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha (June-July), return journey or 'Bahuda Yatra' of the deities commences in the same manner from Gundicha temple to the main temple, just like the main Rath Yatra. Then again the titular King of Puri performs the ceremonial Chhera Pahanra, before the commencement of the Bahuda Rath Yatra.

Poda Pitha, a traditional delicacy deeply associated with devotion and motherly love, as part of the rituals associated with the Bahuda Yatra, is offered as bhog to Lord Jagannath when the three chariots pass the Mausi Maa Temple on Bada Danda (Grand Road). The offering is considered a symbol of affection and reverence by their Mausi maa (maternal aunt), during the return journey of the deities. According to the Skanda Purana, during the great deluge at the beginning of creation, Maa Mausi consumed half of the rising waters. As she absorbed the waters of the deluge, she came to be known as Ardhashini. It is also believed that, by residing on the banks of the Malini River, which once flowed along the Bada Danda, she prevented floodwaters from entering the Kshetra and protected the holy place. This belief is also associated with the meaning of the name Ardhashini.

One of the most profound rituals of Shree Jagannath Ratha Yatra, 'Adhara Pana' is performed on the chariots before the deities return to the sanctum. A sacred aromatic drink, prepared with milk, chhena (fresh cheese), sugar, banana, spices and camphor, is offered in towering earthen pots placed up to the lips (adhara) of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. After the offering, the pots are deliberately broken on the chariots. This is a symbolic offering to satisfy the guardian spirits, believed to accompany and protect the Lords throughout the Rath Yatra.

The rituals end with 'Niladri Bije' the final homecoming of the Lord after the playful delay at the doors of the temple with godess Lakshmi.

When two months of Ashadha fall in one year, Rath Yatra is observed as the festival of 'Nabakalebar' the old deities are buried within the temple premises ('Koilibaikuntha') and are replaced by new deities, carved out of Margosa trees for which there are set procedures. Double Ashadha occurs at intervals of 8 to 19 years. Construction of the chariots begin as early as April. 

How to get there

Air: Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport from Puri (60-km).

Rail: A terminus on the S.E. Railway, Puri has fast and super fast train links with New Delhi, Kolkata, Baidyanath Dham etc.

Road: Puri can also be approached by road directly from Bhubaneshwar and via Konark and then through the Marine Drive covering about 100-km.