The nine-day event celebrated every year at the Jagannath Temple at Puri, Odisha is the biggest Hindu festival. Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra or Rath Yatra is celebrated to recall and show respect to Lord Jagannath's visit to Gundicha Temple (birthplace) and Mausi Maa Temple (aunt's house). This festival is also known as the ‘Chariot festival' and the Rath Yatra is held every year.
The significance of this festival:
The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is celebrated annually all over the globe. Lord Jagannath is considered as a form of Lord Vishnu. The word Jagannath means the lord of the universe. The four temples that comprise Char Dham are Yamunotri Dham, Gangotri Dham, Badrinath Dham and Kedarnath Dham. Yamunotri Dham, named after the Goddess Yamuna, is the first Dham en route to the yatra, and the Jagannath temple in Puri is one of them.
People worship Lord Jagannath with his brother Balabhadra and Sister Devi Subhadra. The celebration begins on Shukla Paksha Dwitiya (second day of bright fortnight) of Ashadha and ends on Shukla Paksha Dashmi of Ashadha. At the beginning of the Yatra, people visit Gundicha Mata Temple to honor Queen Gundicha, who is the wife of the legendary king, Indradyumna who built the Puri temple.
After the Rath yatra, on the fourth day, Lord Lakshmi pays a visit to the Gundicha Mata Temple in search of Lord Jagannath, this event is known as Hera Panchami. After 8 days of rest in the Gundicha Temple, Lord Jagannath comes back to the main abode and this day is known as Return yatra.
And after returning to the main adobe, before Devshayani Ekadashi, 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 the Jagannath temple is done which is termed as Gundicha Marjana. Gundicha Yatra 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
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Bahuda Yatra
Bahuda Yatra is the return of Yatra, which is seen on the eighth day. During the return, a stoppage is made at Mausi Maa Temple which 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 are dressed in new clothes and then are placed back inside the temple. This event will take place on July 21 from 4 pm to 5:30 pm.
Also read: Amarnath Yatra cancelled in light of Covid pandemic; Online "aarti" for devotees
Adhar Parna
On July 22, all the rituals will be performed before 8 pm.
Niladri Bije
On July 23, Friday Pahandi will be from 4 pm to 10 pm.