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Jagannath Rath Yatra

Krishna ji

  • Puja vidhi
  • 6 Wishes to send
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Jagannath Rath Yatra

Why it is celebrated

The Jagannath Rath Yatra is held in Puri, Odisha, on the second day of the bright half of Ashadh. On this day Bhagwan Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra ride three huge chariots to the Gundicha temple, and lakhs of devotees pull the ropes. It is the day the Lord himself comes out of the temple to give darshan to everyone.

The story

Long ago, King Indradyumna of Malwa was a great devotee of Bhagwan Vishnu. One night the Lord told him in a dream that a sacred log (daru) would float ashore at Puri, and that his image should be carved from it.

The king did find the log, but no craftsman could carve it. Then an old carpenter arrived. It is said he was Vishwakarma himself, the craftsman of the gods. His condition was that he would work alone in a closed room, and no one would open the door for twenty-one days.

After some days, the sounds from inside stopped. Queen Gundicha worried that something had happened to the old man. At her urging, the king opened the door before time. The carpenter was gone, and the images of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra were unfinished.

The king was saddened, but the Lord told him that he wished to be worshipped in this very form. These same forms are worshipped in Puri even today. During the Rath Yatra the Lord travels to the Gundicha temple, named after the queen, which devotees lovingly call his aunt's house, and returns after some days.

Puja vidhi

  1. Bathe in the morning and light a diya before a picture of Bhagwan Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra.
  2. Offer flowers, tulsi leaves, sandalwood and akshat; offer khichdi, malpua or any sweet as bhog.
  3. Join the Rath Yatra in Puri or in your city and touch or pull the chariot rope with devotion. Look after children and elders in the crowd.
  4. At home, children can decorate a small chariot and pull it.
  5. Sing kirtan with 'Jai Jagannath', or read the Jagannath Ashtakam.
  6. Do the aarti and share the prasad with everyone.

Food

Khichdi, dalma, malpua and khaja; in Puri, the Lord's mahaprasad.

Wishes to send

  • Happy Rath Yatra! May Mahaprabhu Jagannath's grace always be with your family.

  • Jai Jagannath! Just as the Lord rides out to give darshan to all, may his love reach every home.

  • May the blessings of Bhagwan Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra fill your life with joy. Happy Rath Yatra.

  • Like the chariot rope, may we all stay tied together by one thread of love and devotion. Greetings on the Rath Yatra.

  • May the sound of drums, conches and 'Jai Jagannath' fill your heart with celebration. Rath Yatra wishes.

  • May the Lord of the universe bless every journey of your life. Jai Jagannath!

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