Write a essay on Jagannath ratha yatra
Answers
Rath Yatra is also called Chariot Festival is the only day when devotees who are not allowed into the temple can get a chance to see the deities. This festival is a symbol of equality and integration. The three deities, Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and their sister Subhadra are worshipped within the temple, on this festival they are taken to the streets of Puri so that everyone can have the fortune to see them.
The three deities make an annual Journey to their aunt’s temple (Gundicha Temple), 2 km away from Lord Jagannath temple. The Jagannath temple in Puri is one among the four most sacred temples in India. The other three are Rameshwaram in the south, Dwarka in west and Badrinath in the north.
The festival of rath yatra begins with the invoking ceremony in the morning and the chariot pulling on the roads of Puri in afternoon is the most exciting part of this festival. There are three different chariots for three deities, the chariot of Lord Jagannath, Nandighosa has 18 wheels and is 45.6 feet high. The chariot of Lord Balabhadra, Taladhwaja has 16 wheels and is 45 feet high and the chariot of Subhadra, Devadalana has 14 wheels and is 44.6 feet high. Every year the wooden temples are constructed newly. The Idols of these three deities are also made of wood and they are religiously replaced by new ones in every 12 years.
On the first day, if any chariot cannot reach the Gundicha Ghar, it is dragged on the next day. On the ninth day i.e. the return car festival day, the deities are brought to the Singhadawar area of the Jagannath temple. An important ritual performed, on the 5th day is known as the “Hera Panchami”, when goddess Laxmi proceeds the Gundicha Ghar to see Lord Jagannath. In the evening of the 10th day, the deities are adorned with gold ornaments and dressed gorgeously in their respective chariots parked in the Simhadwar area.On the same day another ritual called “Hari Sayan Ekadashi” is performed. On the following day that is the 12th day of the bright fortnight, the important ceremony is known as “Adharapana Bhog” is performed. A sweet milk is offered to the deities. On the following day, the deities are taken to the temple in a traditional procession amidst gathering of thousands of devotees.
A majestic procession is carried out with the statues of Lord Krishna, Balaram, and Subhadra, every year, in three gigantic chariots. The huge chariot is pulled by devotees from Janakpuri to the temple in Jagannath puri. The statues are changed in every 12 years the new ones being incomplete also.
Answer:
Rath Yatra also known as the Chariot festival is a major into festival associated with Lord Jaganath who is one of the ten incarnation of Lord Bishnu in Hindu mythology. This attract millions of pilgrims all around the world . This festival is celebrated in Puri, located in Orissa , in India . As per the calendar the ocassion falls on the second day of the 'Ashaarh' month.
The festival of Rath Yatra commemorate and celebrate the journey of Lord Jagannath , his brother Balabhadra and his sister Shubadra, they travel from the sacred temple located in Gundicha . The three deities are brought out of the temple in a eleborate procession a stately and ceremonious manner by the Gajapati of Puri , Jagannath would be in rest for a week of reaching his aunt's adobe at Gundicha.
The Rath Yatra festival is a nine day period . During the auspicious time devotes pay thier obeisance to Lord Jaganath . This signifies the emergence of the God from the temple and his presence among the ordinary men on Earth .The pulling of the divine chariot by the congregation of devotees illustrates how the power of God can be transmitted men. It also instills the value of unity , plurality and brotherhood on Earth . This festival is an example of the unity of diversity in our incredible India.