#JaiJagannath On the occasion of #RathYatra2020 will be taking a look at the Yatra, it's rituals and significance. I had covered on Puri Temple yesterday https://twitter.com/HUFToday/status/1275022934063624192

The Ratha Yatra is flagged off during Akshaya Trithi, when the work begins on construction of chariots. The making of the chariots is a ritual by itself, with special wood bought from the Daspalla forests, and puja done to them.

This again is a celebration by itself, and many throng the occasion to witness the construction of the 3 Rathas. Many people flock to see the construction of the Rathas, which are placed on the Bara Danda, Puri’s main road, where the entire Ratha Jatra takes place.

There is a family of carpenters, who have the hereditary rights to construct these Rathas. And this kicks off the first phase called as the Chandan Yatra, when the deities are worshipped with chandan, and water.

The Chandan Yatra which is the first phase of the Ratha Jatra asts for 42 days and is divided into two periods of 21 days each, the Bahari Chandana, and the Bhitari Chandana. The Bahari Chandana is when the representatives of the 3 deities are taken in a procession.

The representatives of Jagannatha, Subhadra and Balabhadra are bought to the Narendra Tank, named after the ruler who built it, also called as Chandan Pokhari. Madana Mohana is the representative of Jagannatha accompanied by 5 Shivas also known as the Pancha Pandavas.

The 5 Shivas accompanying Madana Mohana here are Lokanatha, Jameswar, Markandeya, Kapala Mochana, and Nilakantha. Lakshmi, Saraswati, Madana Mohana are placed in one boat, while Rama, Krishna and the Pancha Shivas are placed in another boat.

The deities are taken out in a procession from the Singhadwara, main gate of Jagannatha Temple to the Narendra Pushkarini, led by the royal elephant, two large decorated palanquins.

This Chandan Yatra is as spectacular as the main Ratha Jatra , and is attended by large crowds. Narendra Pushkarini was built by Narendra Deva, son of the great emperor Kapilendra Deva.

. Covering around 8 acres, the tank has a small island in the middle, with a temple, where Madana Mohana, the representative of Jagannatha is bought during Chandana Yatra.

The next phase is the Snana Yathra when the deities are given a ritual bath in the month of Jyestha( May- June ). For about 2 weeks a period called as Ansara after the Snana Yatra, the deities are not shown to public, and only symbolic Pattachitras strung on a bamboo screen

During this period, they are offered only leaves, roots, berries, fruits to cure them of sickness. This tradition of offering roots, leaves, fruits to the deities has it’s origin in the native tribal way.

The daitapatis who perform the rituals for Jagannatha are believed to be descendants of Lalita , the daugther of tribal chieftain Biswabasu and Vidyapati, the priest of King Indradyumna's court.

And finally we have the spectacular Jagannatha Ratha Yatra during the months of Ashada , when the deities are pulled along in their huge chariots to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and chanting of the names.

Nandighosha is the Ratha of Jagannatha, the tallest of the 3 around 44′ high. This is wrapped in Red and Yellow color cloth, and guarded by Garuda. The charioteer is Daruka( Surya), and the flag is Trailokyamohini.

It is drawn by 4 horses all white in color-Shankha, Balahaka, Suwetha, Haridashwa, and the rope that pulls the Ratha is called Shankachuda Nagini. Jagannatha is surrounded here by Varaha, Gobardhana,Krishna, Nrusinga,Rama, Narayana, Trivikrama, Hanuman and Rudra.

Balabhadra’s Ratha is called Taladwaja, and he is accompanied by Ramakrishna here. This has 14 wheels, around 43′ high, covered with Red, and bluish green cloth. Matali is the charioteer here, while Unnani is the name of the flag, that adorns it.

Tribra, Ghora, Dirghasharma and Swornanava are the 4 horses, all black in color that pull Taladwaja, while Basuki Naga is the name of the rope used to pull the Ratha. The 9 deities on Ratha are Ganesha, Karthikeya, Sarvamangala, Pralambari, Halayudha, Mrityunjaya, Mukteswara.

Darapadalana, the Ratha of Subhadra, has 12 wheels, around 42′ tall, guarded by Jayadurga, while Arjuna himself is the charioteer here. Nadambika is the name of the flag, and the Ratha is covered with red and black cloth, symbolizing Shakti herself.

4 red colored horses Rochika, Mochika, Jita Aparajita pull Darpadalana, while the rope used to pull the Ratha is named after Swarnachuda Nagini. The 9 deities on this Ratha are various forms of Shakti-Chandi, Chamunda, Ugratara, Banadurga, Shulidurga, Varahi, Mangala, Vimala.

The crowds, the chanting of the Lord’s name, the noise, the festivities transport you into a totally different world. Before the chariots are pulled, we have the local Gajapati King of Puri, sweeping the chariots with a golden broom.

This ritual symbolizes that the King is but a humble servant of Lord Jagannatha. In fact much like the Ranas of Mewar, the rulers of Travancore, the Eastern Gangas and later the Gajapatis saw themselves as mere vassals of their ruling deity, who was the actual ruler.

You have different kinds of Sevakas from Jagannatha Temple who offer their services, important of the lot is Suara Mahasura Dahuka, they recite what is called as the Dahuka Boli, basically pretty bawdy songs.

The chariots are then pulled along to the Gundica Ghar, which is located at the other end of the Bara Danda. After a 7 day stay, the idols return back to the main temple in what is called as Bahuda Yatra

And finally on the 9th day, the idols are placed back in the Sanctum Sanctorum. It’s believed that Rath Yatra being a symbol of fertility and cycle of life, the lyrics of the Dahuka Boli tend to be very risque, with a lot of double entendre.

On the occassion of #RathYatra2020 may the blessings of Jagannatha be with us always, in fact we need it more than ever. #JaiJagannath