Home Trending Know About Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024: India's Most Revered Chariot Festival

Know About Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024: India's Most Revered Chariot Festival

24 Jan, 2024 by Parita Soni

Know About Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024: India's Most Revered Chariot Festival

24 Jan, 2024 by Parita Soni

One of the significant and widely celebrated festivals in India is Jagannath Rath Yatra. Devotees come together at Jagannath Puri Temple to mark this fest and celebrate it with full enthusiasm and make the extravaganza grand and noteworthy. The temple is located in Puri City in the state of Orissa.

Idols of the deities - Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra (his brother), and Subhadra (his sister) are carried out in a grand procession involving chariots dragged by the devotees. It marks the event of the journey of Lord Jagannath from his temple to the place three kilometers away where his aunt lived.

The festival symbolizes brotherhood and unity, as showcased in the procession carried out grandly. It is also widely known to celebrate the cultural richness and traditions of our country. The audience is often left in awe watching the various traditional dresses, colorful raths as well as fascinating music. It is said that partaking in this fest brings home blessings and good fortune.

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 Date and Time

Every year, as per the Hindu Calendar, devotees celebrate the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra on the 2nd day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha. The Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 date and time usually fall in June or July. This year, the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 shall begin at 04:26 am on July 07 and end at 04:59 am on July 08. As this day is also considered auspicious for starting any new project, making investments or buying new vehicles, you can speak to the astrologers for the muhurat and proceed accordingly.

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 Rituals

The rituals to be followed on Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 are as follows:

  • The rituals of Jagannath Rath Yatra commence with the building of the raths. Three huge chariots are constructed for Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
  • On the day of Puri Rath Yatra, all three idols are placed on the chariots from the temple. The chariots are pulled with ropes by the devotees, while they simultaneously chant the names of the deities, and the Jagannath Rath Yatra Mantras.
  • Public gathers on both sides of the procession as it passes through the lanes of Puri to see the gods. The music of drums, conch shells, and cymbals fills the air.
  • The chariots halt at several locations where devotees worship the gods and present them with sacred items such as fruits, desserts, and flowers.
  • The deities are returned to their temple in the similar procession known as the Jagannath Bahuda Yatra, which takes place on the fourth day of the festival.
  • Before taking part in the Rath Yatra, devotees bathe in the sacred Mahodadhi River to cleanse themselves.
  • Devotees get dressed up in their finest clothes as well as jewelry on this day. The streets on Puri Rath Yatra witness colorful processions. Vendors are also seen selling various items on the sides of the lanes.

It is said that devotees who participate in the rituals of Jagannath Rath Yatra receive blessings from Lord Jagannath and get good luck.

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Gundicha temple

The significance of the Gundicha Temple, considering the Jagannath Rath Yatra, is enormous. Located in Puri, Odisha, this landmark is the destination of the procession of Rath Yatra held every year. Devotees place the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra for a 9-day stay at the Gundicha Temple. The significance of the Gundicha Temple is due to the following reasons:

  • Also referred to as the Garden House of Jagannath, the Gundicha temple is where Lord Jagannath was born. The deities spend their time here during the Rath Yatra.
  • Lord Jagannath, with his brother Balabhadra & sister Subhadra, make a symbolic trip from their temple to the Gundicha temple during the Rath Yatra. According to mythology, this journey symbolizes their yearly visit to their aunt's home. 
  • During the Rath Yatra, the most revered place is the Gundicha temple. To welcome the deities on their visit, the temple is cleansed and decorated with flowers & lights. 
  • Worshipers worship the gods with tremendous devotion at the Gundicha temple. Prasad is given as part of ceremonies performed by devotees. 
  • The journey back to their temple from the Gundicha temple is known as the Jagannath Bahuda Yatra. As it is also an important event, thousands of devotees come together to glimpse the procession.

about jagannath rath yatra

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024: Stories

Many stories narrate the significance of the Jagannath Rath Yatra, of which one is related to King Indradyumna. As per this myth, the king desired to construct a shrine for Lord Vishnu. In his dream, Lord Vishnu gave him the task of locating a log of wood that washes up on the Puri shoreline. The idols of the deities - Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra were carved by talented craftsmen hired by the king after discovering the log. The monarch, however, was informed by the Lord that he wouldn't be able to witness the ultimate form of the idols, or else they would vanish before making the final touches.

The story of Lord Jagannath & his sister Lakshmi is another well-known legend. This mythology tells that Lord Jagannath as well as his brother Balabhadra wished to go to their aunt's home but left behind their sister Lakshmi. Lakshmi, hurt by her brother's behavior, went to Puri in disguise as a person to view their idols. The temple guard however intervened. After learning about the incident, Lord Jagannath vowed never to meet his sister again. Thus, for the following nine days following the Rath Yatra up to the Ulto Rath Yatra, no devotion is offered to the idols of God Jagannath, Balabhadra, as well as Subhadra. 

Another tale states that the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra were carved from a timber log by a craftsman named Visvakarma. Visvakarma, blessed by the Lord to be worshiped for a thousand years, would perish and get replaced by new idols. It is why, at the Nabakalebara ceremony, the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, as well as Subhadra get substituted every twelve years.

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Astrological Significance of Jagannath Rath Yatra

As per the Hindu mythology, in addition to the cultural and religious, the significance of Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 is considerable astrologically too. A significant astrological event occurs on the day of the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 date and time when the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Cancer. This change is welcomed in India's monsoon season, which has a huge impact on both the natural world and daily living. 

According to astrology, Lord Jagannath is connected to Jupiter, also called Guru planet. Jupiter provides riches, intelligence, and wisdom. The Lord is shifted from his temple and placed on a chariot during the Jagannath Rath Yatra to symbolize the transit of the planet Jupiter.

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Moreover, the festival welcomes Chaturmas, a 4-month time of religious & spiritual significance. Lord Vishnu is said to enter a condition of sleep during this time, and his devotees do religious rituals and practice austerities to win his favor.

Endnote 

Save the date of this most significant fest celebrated in India, especially observed in a grand event in Odisha, and perform the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 Rituals to seek blessings from the Lord Jagannath. May the divine bestow all the happiness you aspire for.

Happy Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024!

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