Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024: Date And History

Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024: One of the biggest festivals in India, the Rath Yatra at Puri celebrates Lord Jagannath, and his siblings¡¯ (Balabhadra and Subhadra) journey to the Gundicha temple some 3 kilometres away from Shrimandira (main temple) of Lord Jagannath.

Gundicha temple which plays a major role during the Rath Yatra, interestingly, remains vacant for most of the year. It is only during the Shukla Paksha of Ashada month every year that the deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra spend seven days at the temple and it becomes the hub of all activities.

This Journey from the Jagannath Temple in Puri to the Gundichi Devi Temple in Mathura is known as the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra. Every year, the three deities are carried on chariots a few miles away to Gundicha Temple on the second day of the new moon in the month of Ashada (June-July) according to the Hindu calendar. It is probably the only time an idol is taken out of the temple in India.

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 | File Photo

Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024: Date

Puri Rath Yatra 2024 will start on Saturday, June 29, and be celebrated on Sunday, July 7. One significance of this Yatra is that people from all religions and faiths can see the deities and participate in the procession, as they are not allowed to enter the temple on other days. For this, the Puri Rath Yatra sees 4-5 lakh pilgrims yearly; Indians and foreigners flock in large numbers to get a glimpse of the idols in the chariot. It is believed that those who manage to get a glimpse of the idols will have a prosperous year ahead.

Puri Rath Yatra 2024: Rituals

Jagannath Rath Yatra is a nine-day festivity marked by various rituals and traditions. Today, Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra and Subhadra will proceed towards the Gundicha temple from the Puri shrine on their giant wooden chariots.

The fourth day is celebrated as Hera Panchami. On this day, Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Jagannatha, visits Gundicha temple in search of Lord Jagannatha. Hera Panchami is usually observed on Shashthi Tithi.

After resting for eight days in Gundicha temple, Lord Jagannatha returns to his main abode. This day is known as Bahuda Yatra or Return Yatra. It is observed on the eighth day after Ratha Yatra on Dashami Tithi.

Lord Jagannath's chariot is known as Nandighosha and has 16 wheels, Lord Balabhadra's chariot is known as Taladhwaja and it has 14 wheels and the chariot of Goddess Subhadra is called Darpadalan, which has 12 wheels. It is believed that Arjun becomes the Sarathi of Subhadra's chariots and it remains in between the two chariots.

Puri Rath Yatra 2024: History And Significance

Shri Jagannathji, Balabhadraji, and Subhadraji are revered at the Jagannath Puri shrine by the uninitiated. The current temple was erected in the 12th century by King Chodagan Dev. The temple is built in the Kalinga style. During the Rath Yatra, Shri Jagannathji, Balabhadraji, and Subhadraji ride in separate chariots to their aunt¡¯s residence, the Gundicha temple, which is three kilometres from the Puri temple. They return to the Puri temple after an eight-day visit.

Every year, the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra begins on Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Ashadh month and concludes 8 days later on Dashami Tithi with the homecoming of Shri Jagannathji, Balabhadraji, and Subhadraji.

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