New Delhi: The Puri Temple famously known as the Jagannath Temple, is a popular Hindu shrine located in the coastal town of Puri in Odisha, India. This temple, dedicated to Lord Jagannath is an integral part of the Char Dham pilgrimage, which also includes Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameswaram. Every year Rath Yatra is held at the temple to celebrate the festivities and various rituals behind it.
This year the Rath Yatra is all set to take place July 7. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra, the festival depicts the journey of Lord Krishna, Balabhadra, and Subhadra from Kurukshetra to Vrindavan. For the journey, the deities come in chariots or Raths from the temple, and the preparations for them start months in advance. A large number of followers from across the globe visit the city to celebrate this grand festival.
How the Rath is prepared?
Gauranga Das Prabhu, member of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission and the director of ISKCON’s Govardhan Ecovillage (GEV) shares, “Every year for the rath, skilled artisans craft three chariots from wood from specified trees like Phassi, Asana, and Dhaunsa, each designated for one of the deities. These are customarily brought from the ex-princely state of Dasapalla. The logs are then set afloat as rafts in the river Mahanadi and are then collected near Puri and then transported by road.”
He added, “A total of 2,184 logs of different sizes and shapes will be used to construct the chariots of three deities this year.”
Lord Jagannath’s Rath, Nandighosa, is the tallest (44ft) runs on 16 wheels, is adorned with a garuda and a chakra and the protecting deity is Nrsimha. Balabhadra’s Rath, Taladhwaja (43ft) has 14 wheels, a palm tree symbol and the protecting deity is Sesa. Devi Subhadra’s Rath, Darpadalana, (42ft) has 12 wheels, a lotus, and is protected by Vandadurga. Around 1200 meters of cloth canopies for the chariot are made. Painted in bright yellow-red, red-blue, and red-black respectively, and embellished with motifs, the model, structure, design, and dimensions of the chariots remain invariable. Four wooden horses are attached to the front of each chariot.
Unique facts about chariots
The top of these chariots resembles the structure of a Hindu temple and is pulled by lakhs of devotees. After the festival, the chariots are dismantled and the wood used goes to the Temple kitchen, to be used as firewood to cook prasad for the deities, which is given to devotees daily.
Awakening the divine within, the yatra inspires and unites devotees worldwide, emphasising the values of devotion and love. After months of preparation, it is a time to come together in unity, celebrating the truth of life and the divine.
The Puri Temple is not just a place of worship but also a centre of cultural heritage. Its kitchen, one of the largest in the world, prepares Mahaprasad, the sacred food offered to the deities and later distributed among the devotees.
Rath Yatra 2024: Here is all you need to know about the Rath prepared for Jagannath Yatra and what significance it holds, also do not miss the interesting facts about the wooden logs used. Read article now! Spirituality Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
