Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra:

Celebrating India’s Spiritual Oneness

- BAIRAJ CHAWALGAMI

This is one of the most important processions/yatra taken out annually in PuriOdisa which begins on Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya and ends on Ashadha Shukla Dashmi. Lord Shree JagannathJi Chariot yatra is an anmual procession whieh is mainly taken out in Puri.

However JagannathJiRathayatras are taken in various cities of India including Jammu,though biggest procession is taken out in Puri Odessa for which the preparations begin months in advance. The Ratha Yatra of Puri, also rendered as the Rathia Jatra is the oldest and largest Hindu Chariot festival celebrated annually on the bright half of the lunar month of Ashada(June-July).The festival is held at the city Puri ,in the state of Odisha, India and is associated with the deity Jagannatha form of Vishnu or Krishna. Rath Yatra processions have been historically common in Vishnu -related (Jagannath, Rama, Krishna) traditions in Hinduism across India. Western impressions of the Jagannath Ratha Yatra in Puri as a display of unstoppable foree are the origin of the English word Juggernaut. Rath Yatra is derived from two Sanskrit words, Ratha which means chariot or carriage, and Yatra which means journey or pilgrimage. In other Indian languages such as Odia, the phonetic equivalents are used, such as jatra. A stunning example of Kalinga architecture is the famous Jagannath Temple, which was constructed in’ the 12th century by king Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva. The goddesses Subhadra ,Balabhadra ,and Lord Jagannath reside in this hallowed shrine. The festival of Rath Yatra ,which draws pilgrims devotees and visitors from all over India and world, is closely linked to the history of Jagannath Temple. It is one of the biggest procession and congregation held in Puri Odisa and is famous throughout India and abroad. Preparations for Rath Yatra 2025 is being planned months in advance, with artisans building the enormous chariots for the gods.