Mumbai: The Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra, also known as Ratha Jatra, is widely recognised as the oldest and largest Hindu chariot festival celebrated annually in Odisha’s city of Puri.
It falls on the Dwitiya Tithi, the second day of the bright fortnight of the Sharad Paksha, during the Hindu lunar month of Asadh, typically corresponding to June or July in the Gregorian calendar. It centres around Lord Jagannath, regarded as a form of Vishnu or Krishna.
It is celebrated with immense enthusiasm, drawing millions of devotees and tourists worldwide. According to the Hindu calendar, Ratha Yatra 2024 is scheduled for July 7. The Rath Yatra Dwitiya Tithi will commence at 4:26 am on July 7 and conclude at 04:59 am on July 8.
This festival involves the elaborate decoration of chariots and a procession through the streets, symbolising the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and their sister Subhadra to their aunt’s Gundicha Temple. They reside there for a week before returning to the Jagannath Temple in a procession known as the Bahuda Yatra.
This grand procession features colossal chariots carrying revered deities and resonates with energy and devotion. The rhythmic chanting of hymns, the collective fervour of devotees pulling the chariots, and the sheer scale of the event create a memorable experience.
The festival commences with intricate rituals such as Rath Snana (the ceremonial bathing of the deities), Rath Pratistha (the consecration of the chariots), and the Rath Yatra (the chariot procession) where devotees pull the chariots while chanting hymns. The deities stay at Gundicha Temple for nine days, imparting blessings to devotees, and then return to the Bahuda Yatra. The festival culminates with Niladri Vijaya, where the chariots are dismantled, symbolising the completion and renewal of the divine journey.
Watch Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024 Live Streaming HERE:
You can watch it on DD Odia, Doordarshan National and from the social media pages like Facebook and Instagram of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri website.
The festival on July 7 will begin with Mangal Alati at 2 am, followed by the Netra Utsav Bandhapana at 4 am and Chhenapatta Lagi Seva between 7:30 am and noon. The chariot consecration will conclude by 11 am, followed by the ceremonial Pahandi of the deities from 1:10 pm to 2:30 pm.
The King of Puri, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, will perform the Chhera Pahanra ritual at 4 pm, and devotees will commence pulling the chariots at 5 pm.
This year’s Rath Yatra in Puri holds particular significance due to rare coincidences of key rituals such as ‘Nabajaubana Darshan’, ‘Netra Utsav’, and the ‘Gundicha Yatra’ occurring on July 7, a combination not seen since 1971.
Experience the spiritual grandeur of the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024 with free live streaming. Immerse yourself in the divine journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra as they embark on their annual chariot procession in Puri, Odisha. Spirituality Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
