Exploring the Puri Ratha Yatra 2023: Unraveling its History, Significance, Rituals, Mantras, and Legends

PURI RATH YATRA 2023: Puri Ratha Yatra, one of the most significant religious festivals, will occur on Tuesday, June 20 this year. This festival signifies the moment when three sacred deities are brought out of their temples in a vibrant procession to interact with devotees in a grand assembly. The largest processions take place in the Puri region of Odisha. It is considered to be one of the oldest chariot festivals that represent the ceremonial journey of the Hindu Lord Jagannath, his younger sister Subhadra, and elder brother Balabhadra. These deities are moved to another temple, believed to be their aunt’s home, for a period of seven days.

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PURI RATH YATRA HISTORY

The idols of the deities are made of wood and adorned with cloth. They are intentionally crafted with large heads and no arms. A team of specialized carpenters, who seem to possess hereditary rights for the task, prepares the massive chariots for the deities. These idols of the Hindu gods are transported to the Gundicha temple during the festival.

PURI RATH YATRA RITUAL

1. First day
   The holy chariot procession begins its journey towards Gundicha temple.
2. Second day
   The gods reside in the temple, and the occasion is called Hera Panchami.
3. Third day
   The devotees offer prayers to the deities during Sandhya Darshan.
4. Fourth day
   The deities return back home during Bahuda Yatra.
5. Fifth day
   The chariots stay outside the Jagannath Temple and are adorned with gold jewelry during Sunabesa.
6. Sixth day
   A special drink is offered to the chariots during Aadhar Pana.
7. Seventh day
   The holy procession concludes with a special ritual called Niladri Bije.

PURI RATH YATRA MANTRA

• Nilachala Nivasaya Nityaya Parmatmane Balabhadra Subhadrayam Jagannathaya Te Nama
• Shree Krishna Govind Hare Murari Hey Nath Narayan Vasudeva Achyutam Keshvam Krishna Damodaram Ram Narayanam Jaanki Vallabham
• Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare HarePuri Rath Yatra legend

PURI RATHA YATRA LEGENDS

There are many legends associated with the chariot festival. One suggests that the three gods leave their temple to fulfill a promise they made to their aunt, visiting her home annually. This tradition continues even after centuries.

Another claim regarding the malformed idols suggests that Lord Vishwakarma, disguised as an old carpenter, created the idols. King Indrayumna convinced him to carve the deities but with the condition that he should not be disturbed during the process.

A week passed, and when the king didn’t receive any updates on the work, he entered Lord Vishwakarma’s workshop, resulting in the idols turning out malformed. However, since they were created by a god, the king decided to use these malformed idols for the procession.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of devotees visit the Jagannath temple to participate in the chariot procession. Having the opportunity to touch the chariots is considered a good omen.