New Delhi: The Jagannath Puri Yatra is one of the most celebrated religious journeys in India. Held every year in Odisha’s Puri, the journey is widely hailed as the oldest and largest Hindu chariot festival which witnesses the journey of Lord Jagannath along with his brother Balaram and his sister Subhadra to Gundicha Temple from the Jagannath temple and then back. This is a yatra which sees the participation of thousands of people every year, with devotees jostling to drag the chariots in which the Lord and his siblings travel. On this occasion, Puri becomes arguably the most colourful and happening place in the country.
When is the Jagannath Puri Yatra going to take place?
This year, the Jagannath Puri Yatra is going to start on July 7, 2024. Notably, every year, it is celebrated around this timeframe, between the end of June and early July.
Jagannath Puri Yatra: Delve into some interesting facts
Since the Jagannath Puri Yatra is just around the corner, this article aims to inform you about some interesting facts that you should know about this famous journey and the occasion. Hence, read on!
While the chariots are one of the most interesting things of this yatra, it must be noted that their structure, model and dimension remain the same every year. However, every year, new chariots are produced keeping all the measurements the same and to make their canopies, 1,200 metres of cloth are used by a team of 15 tailors.
It is also interesting to note that the chariots are made entirely of wood, without any single nail. Yes, you have read it right. The collection of wood begins on Basant Panchami. Not to mention it is the world’s only Yatra where the deities are brought out of the temple and are pulled on chariots.
While we tend to think that Lord Jagannath travels in the same chariot along with his brother Balaram and his sister Subhadra, it is not so. They travel in different chariots and Lord Jagannath’s chariot is bigger than the other two, with red and yellow paints.
The chariot of Lord Balaram is known as Taladhwaja and its height is 45 feet with 16 wheels. On the other hand, the chariot of Lord Jagannath is known as Nandighosha Rath and is also called Garudadhwaja and Kapidhwaja. Its height is 45.6 feet and has 18 wheels. Finally, the chariot of Subhadra is known as Devadalana and is also called Padmadhwaja. Its height is 44.6 feet and has 14 wheels.
The Yatra involves several important rituals, like the Shree Gundicha Yatra rituals, the Ritual of Chhera Panhara, Chamara rite, Sandhya Darshan, Suna Besha, Pana Adhara and Niladri Bije. Notably, the deities are bathed in 108 pitchers of water in a ritual known as the Sahastradhara Snan. Interestingly, the well from where the water for this ritual is collected is opened only once a year.
Thousands of devotees draw the three massive, wooden chariots on Bada Danda (the grand avenue) to Gundicha Temple. They live there for seven days and then return to the Jagannath temple and the return trip is called the Bahuda Yatra. Here, it must be noted that while returning, Lord Jagannath’s chariot waits near the crematorium of Bhakta Salabega, a Muslim devotee of the lord. Also, during the return journey, the three deities stop near the Mausi Maa Temple and have an offering of the Poda Pitha loved by Lord Jagannath.
After the chariots return to the temple, the deities are adorned in gold ornaments and worshipped on the chariots. This ritual is known as Suna Besha and is said that King Kapilendra Deva started it in 1460. Also, to those wondering how old is this Yatra, well, it has been mentioned in the Padma Purana, the Brahma Purana, the Kapila Samhita and the Skanda Purana. Since the 13th century, it had been mentioned by European travellers as an occasion of much pomp and splendour.
The Jagannath Puri Yatra is going to start on July 7, 2024. Every year, thousands of devotees draw the three massive, wooden chariots on Bada Danda (the grand avenue) to Gundicha Temple. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
