From today, the Jagannath Rath Yatra has started across the country, which is to continue till July 8. This Yatra starts every year from the second day of Shukla Paksha of the Ashadh month. It is celebrated with great pomp in Puri, Odisha, in which lakhs of devotees participate. Let us tell you that during the Rath Yatra, 3 chariots are taken out, out of which his brother and sister ride on 2 chariots. All three chariots are worshipped before the Rath Yatra begins. The king of Puri cleans the pavilion and the path with a golden broom.
In Puri, 2 more chariots come out along with the chariot of Lord Jagannath, in one of which his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra are seated and in the other his sister. Balabhadra’s chariot goes in the front, then sister Subhadra and the third is Lord Jagannath’s chariot.
Why is Jagannath Rath Yatra taken out?
According to Skanda Purana, one day Lord Jagannath’s sister Subhadra, expressed a desire to see the city. Then Jagannath and Balabhadra set out to show the city to their sister by seating her on the chariot. During this journey, they went to their aunt Gundicha’s house and stayed there for seven days. From then on, the tradition of Jagannath Rath Yatra started.
According to mythological beliefs, the Lord resides in this temple for a few days. During this time, devotees not only honor him by pulling the chariot, but also show lively devotion. The history of Puri’s Jagannath Rath Yatra is more than 1000 years old. The foundation of this event is associated with the Sri Jagannath Temple established by King Anantavarman Chodagangadeva of the Ganga dynasty in the 12th century. However, the tradition of Rath Yatra has been going on even before the construction of the temple.
What are the names of the three chariots?
These religious chariots that come out in Puri have different names.
- The name of Lord Jagannath’s chariot is Nandi Ghosh. Apart from this, it is also known as Garudadhwaj. This chariot is 42.65 feet long, with 16 wheels. This chariot is red and yellow. The charioteer of this chariot is Daruk.
- The name of Balabhadra’s chariot is Taladhwaj, and its height is 43.30 feet. It is bigger than Lord Jagannath’s chariot. Its color is red and green. This chariot has 14 wheels. The charioteer of this chariot is Matali.
- The name of Lord’s sister Subhadra’s chariot is Darpadalan and this chariot is 42.32 feet high. Its color is red and black. It has 12 wheels and its charioteer is Arjun.
This is how the tradition of Jagannath Rath Yatra started
For your information, let us tell you that during the Jagannath Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra ji and Goddess Subhadra sit on the chariot and visit the city. According to religious belief, by seeing Lord Jagannath, all the sorrows of the devotee are removed. Also, after death, salvation is attained.
According to Padma Purana, once Subhadra expressed her desire to visit the city to Lord Jagannath. After this, on the second day of Shukla Paksha of Ashad month, Lord Jagannath seated brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra on the chariot. After this, while visiting the city, he reached his aunt’s house Gundicha temple. He stayed for seven days. After this he returned. Since then, this special tradition is performed every year.
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