The nine-day event celebrated every year at the JagannathTemple at Puri, Odisha is the biggest Hindu festival. Jagannath Puri Rath Yatraor Rath Yatra is celebrated to recall and show respect to Lord Jagannath'svisit to Gundicha Temple (birthplace) and Mausi Maa Temple (aunt's house). Thisfestival is also known as the ‘Chariot festival' and the Rath Yatra is held everyyear.
The significance of this festival:
The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is celebrated annually allover the globe. Lord Jagannath is considered as a form of Lord Vishnu. The wordJagannath means the lord of the universe. The four temples thatcomprise Char Dham are Yamunotri Dham, Gangotri Dham,Badrinath Dham and Kedarnath Dham. Yamunotri Dham, namedafter the Goddess Yamuna, is the first Dham en route to the yatra, andthe Jagannath temple in Puri is one of them.
People worship Lord Jagannath with his brother Balabhadraand Sister Devi Subhadra. The celebration begins on Shukla Paksha Dwitiya (secondday of bright fortnight) of Ashadha and ends on Shukla Paksha Dashmi ofAshadha. At the beginning of the Yatra, people visit Gundicha Mata Templeto honor Queen Gundicha, who is the wife of the legendary king, Indradyumnawho built the Puri temple.
After the Rath yatra, on the fourth day, Lord Lakshmi paysa visit to the Gundicha Mata Temple in search of Lord Jagannath, this event isknown as Hera Panchami. After 8 days of rest in the Gundicha Temple, LordJagannath comes back to the main abode and this day is known as Return yatra.
And after returning to the main adobe, before DevshayaniEkadashi, Lord Jagannath goes to sleep for 4 months.
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2021:
Date and timing:
Dwitiya tithi starts on July 11, 2021 at 06:17 am
Dwitiya tithi ends at July 12, 2021 at 06:49 am
The Schedule:
Gundicha Marjana
One day before Rath Yatra, cleaning of the Gundicha theJagannath temple is done which is termed as Gundicha Marjana. GundichaYatra will start on Monday, July 12
- Pahandi will begin at 8:30 am
- Chera Panhara will begin at 2 pm
- Pulling of Chariot will start at 3 pm
Bahuda Yatra
Bahuda Yatra is the return of Yatra, which is seen on theeighth day. During the return, a stoppage is made at Mausi Maa Templewhich is dedicated to Goddess Ardhashimi.
- Pahandi from 12 pm up to 2:30 pm
- Pulling of Chariot will start at 4 pm
Suna Vesa
When Yatra reaches Jagannath Temple the deities aredressed in new clothes and then are placed back inside the temple. This eventwill take place on July 21 from 4 pm to 5:30 pm.
Adhar Parna
On July 22, all the rituals will be performed before 8pm.
Niladri Bije
On July 23, Friday Pahandi will be from 4 pm to 10pm.