Top News

Jagannath Rath Yatra: The Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri, Odisha is one of the largest religious events in the world. Every year lakhs of devotees participate in it. Crores of people watch this journey live through TV and social media. Rath Yatra is not just a celebration of Lord Jagannath coming out of the temple riding on the chariot. There are many traditions, beliefs and interesting facts behind this, about which very few people know.

1. Lord Jagannath comes out of the temple only once a year

Lord resides in Shri Jagannath Temple of Puri throughout the year, but only once a year he goes to Gundicha Temple riding on a chariot with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. This journey symbolizes the Lord visiting his aunt's house.

2. New chariots are made every year

The biggest secret of the Rath Yatra is that all three chariots are made new every year. Old chariots are not reused. It is made from certain wood as per the prescribed traditions. It takes hundreds of artisans several weeks to complete this work.

3. All three chariots are completely different from each other

Three different chariots are taken out in the Rath Yatra. The size, colour, flag and decoration of the three chariots are also different.

• Nandighosh – The chariot of Lord Jagannath, which has 16 wheels.
• Taladhwaja – The chariot of Lord Balabhadra, which has 14 wheels.
• Darpadalan (Devdalan) – The chariot of Goddess Subhadra, which has 12 wheels.

4. Pulling a chariot is considered very auspicious

Pulling the rope of God's chariot is considered a special act of virtue. For this reason lakhs of devotees pull the chariot.

5. God remains 'sick' for 15 days

Before the Rath Yatra, the Lord is bathed with water from 108 pots on Snan Purnima. After this the Lord becomes ill and does not appear to the devotees for about 15 days. This period is called Anasara.

6. Kings even today become servants of God

Before the start of the Rath Yatra, Gajapati Maharaj of Puri cleans the three chariots with a golden broom. This tradition is called Chhera Pahanra. Its message is that kings and common people are all equal before God.

7. Why does the idol of Lord Jagannath look different?

The idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are different from ordinary idols. Their large round eyes and distinctive shape are part of a centuries-old religious tradition. The statues were installed in an incomplete state.

8. God stays in Gundicha temple for many days

Lord Jagannath does not return directly during the Rath Yatra. They sit in the Gundicha temple for a few days. After this there is a return journey, which is called Bahuda Yatra.

9. Rath Yatra is not limited to India only

Jagannath Rath Yatra is also organized in America, Britain, Canada, Australia, Russia and many other countries. ISKCON plays a major role in enhancing this tradition.

10. Rath Yatra gives the biggest message of equality and unity

The biggest message of the Rath Yatra is that God does not belong to any one class or community, but to the entire humanity. Everyone gets equal opportunity to pull the chariot, have darshan and serve.

Content References: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri, Odisha Tourism Department, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Skanda Purana (Purushottama Mahatmya), Brahma Purana and Padma Purana, Publications of ISKCON