Rath Yatra can be regarded as one of the famous Indian Festivals for which the whole country waits for a year. People from all over the world seek to get a view of these festivals. The main attracting fact about Rath Yatra is all devotees can take part in this festival without any barrier coming from all parts of the world.
In the context of the celebration of Rath Yatra on 12th July 2021, there are major interesting facts which the readers won’t deny reading before the grand celebration
1. “Orthodox” is the word that goes parallelly with the Jagannath Temple of Orissa, where only Hindus can only cross the temple’s door to get a glimpse of Lord Jagannath. The temple used to put a barrier for worshiping Lord Jagannath for other castes unlike Hinduism because they are not allowed to enter the temple. There is a “But” prevailing with this fact- During the festival of Rath Yatra, there is no barrier for any caste or religion while entering Puri Lord Jagannath Temple. Every devotee irrespective of caste or religion can worship Lord Jagannath according to their wish which has been the main attraction of the grand celebration.
2. The Rath Yatra festival is the festival of Chariots, in which Lord Jagannath, Balaram, and Subhadra travel from Puri Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple. Lord Jagannath travels in a chariot namely Nandighosha with 16 wheels, Lord Balaram travels in a chariot namely Taladhwaja with 14 wheels and Subhadra travels in a chariot namely Devadalana with 12 wheels.
3. The festival chariots are constructed every year with fresh wood which is heard to come floating by the ocean. The model & structure of the chariots and design & dimensions of the chariots remain the same every year. Besides this, wooden horses are attached in front of the chariots.
4. Lord Jagannath, Balaram, and Subhadra used to stay for 9 days in the temple of Gundicha and return back to Puri Temple. Poda Pitha is the most famous dessert that is mainly famous during the return journey of Lords from Gundicha temple.
5. There is a ritual before the start of the royal journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings to his aunt’s house is to sweep the road with a broom. The mythical king of Puri sweeps the road with a golden broom for the ceremonious journey.
6. The top of the three chariots resembles the top of Hindu temples with canopies made out of the cloth of 1200metres. Generally, a team of 15 tailors used to stitch the canopies for this grand festival.
7. Before this grand celebration of Rath Yatra, on the day of Purnima, a holy bath of Lords takes place with 108 pitchers of water. After that, it was believed that they catch the high fever and for this reason, the door of the temple remains closed for a week. Thereafter, for a change, Lord Jagannath with his siblings visit Gundicha temple for a change on the day of Rath Yatra
8. There is a myth that is seen by those who have participated in Rath Yatra that Lord Jagannath refuses to move initially in spite of hundreds of devotees tries to pull the rope of the chariot. After pulling and pushing for one hour or more, he agrees to move with some cosmic efforts.
9. The return journey is commonly known as “Bahuda Yatra” during which Lords take a short halt at Mausi Maa Temple and then start over towards Puri Temple.
10. After the Rath Yatra festival is over, the woods of the chariots are dismantled and these woods are used as fuel in the Puri Temple where 56 dishes are cooked every day.
After getting to know about the interesting facts, you are aware of the celebration that takes place during the entire Rath Yatra starting from the bathing ceremony to the dismantling of the chariot’s woods.