Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023: Chariots of the gods wend their way from Puris temple

Braving excessive heat and humidity, lakhs of devotees from different parts of the country and the globe participated in the annual Rath Yatra in Puri on Tuesday.

Since the early morning, devotees started to congregate on Bada Danda, or the Grand Road in the pilgrim town for the annual sojourn of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. After all the deities were brought out by the servitors in the traditional Pahandi, Puri Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb performed the ‘Chhera Panhara’ on the three chariots- Darpadalan (chariot of the Goddess Subhadra), Taladwaja (chariot of Lord Balabhadra) and Nandighosa (the chariot of Lord Jagannath).

Amidst chants of Jai Jagannath and the beating of cymbals and gongs, devotees danced in joy as the deities swayed all the way to their respective chariots in Pahandi. It was indeed a unique spectacle that draws lakhs of devotees to the pilgrim town of Puri every year on the occasion of Rath Yatra.

The connection between the Lord of the Universe and his devotees cannot be described in words as it is only to cherish and relive the moment for years to come. The darshan of Lord and his sibling deities atop their respective chariots is unique and holds significance, particularly for those who cannot have a glimpse of the Mahaprabhu inside the Puri Srimandir.

Enthusiasm was at zenith among the devotees as they pulled the three gigantic chariots on the Bada Danda.

The holy festival is organised according to the Hindu calendar and takes place every year on the second day of the bright fortnight in the month of Ashadha. The festival is celebrated with huge joy and fervour across the coastal city of Odisha. Know more about the Jagannath Puri Ratha to understand the centuries-old ritual and its significance.

On this day, Lord Jagannath, which also means ‘Lord of the Universe’, is taken out of the temple on beautiful chariots. Along with the idol of Lord Jagannath, idols of Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are also taken out on different chariots and given a tour of the whole city before being taken to the Gundicha Temple. The three idols stay there for some time and then return to the main temple.

The first day of the nine-day-long festival is about catching a glimpse of the idols travelling by chariots. The grand Rath Yatra begins after the three deities are established on the decorated chariots. Lord Jagannath’s chariot is called Nandighosha, Lord Balabhadra’s chariot is called Taladhwaja, and Goddess Subhadra’s chariot is called Darpadalan. These chariots are pulled by a large number of devotees.

After reaching Gundicha Temple, the three deities are taken back to Lord Jagannath Temple. The journey to return to the temple is called Bahuda Yatra. It takes place at the end of the ten-day celebration. The date of the return yatra is June 28, 2023. The return rath yatra commences on the tenth day of the Ashadha month.

Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra will commence at 10:04 pm on Tuesday. The Rath Yatra will end the next day at 7:09 pm. People have been preparing for the day for the last month.