Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath: Why millions throng Puri to witness the annual event

Goddess Ardhasini, also known as Mausima, is believed to be the aunt of the deities. The deities board three huge decorated chariots following the ceremonial procession called the Pahandi ritual, before marching for around 3 km to the Gundicha Temple. Millions of devotees pull the chariots on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) of Puri town.

Puri occupies a significant space in Hindu mythology as it is worshipped as one of the char dham or four abodes where Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is worshipped with his siblings. It is believed that witnessing the deities on their elaborately decorated chariots will cleanse people of their sins and grant them salvation.

According to the Bamadeva Samhita, a religious text associated with the Puri temple, any pilgrim who witnesses the four deities on their simhasana (sacred seat) of Gundicha Temple for a week would be granted a place in Baikuntha, the heavenly abode, along with their ancestors for eternity.

As non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the Jagannath temple, the festival presents an opportunity for foreign devotees to visit Puri. It is believed that the Lord, believed to be the Lord of the Universe, steps out of his sanctum sanctorum during Rath Yatra to meet all his devotees.

The three chariots

The three chariots – Taladhwaja Rath for Lord Balabhadra, the Darpadalan Rath for Goddess Subhadra, and the Nandighosa Rath for Lord Jagannath – are distinct from each other, and made afresh every year from the woods of locally available trees. They have their own colours, heights, diameters, wooden horses, guardian deities and even charioteers. Nearly 200 carpenters, labourers, woodcarvers, artists, and painters work for around 12 hours a day from Akshaya Tritiya onwards, nearly two months before the much-awaited event, to shape the chariots.

The workers view their work as “hereditary service”. While they don’t have any formal training in woodcarving or using modern machinery or equipment, they rely on what they have learnt from experienced family elders. Traditional methods and techniques are used to build the chariots.

Rituals associated with the festival

CHHERA PANHARA: Before the chariots are pulled on Rath Yatra, the scion of the erstwhile Puri royal family, the self-styled first servitor of the Lords, performs a special ritual called “Chhera Panhara”. As part of this, he sweeps the floor of the chariots with a golden broom, symbolising that all devotees are equal before the Lord, irrespective of their social status. It is said to stress the dignity of labour and emphasises humility.

Puri king Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, who ascended the throne in 1970 at the age of only 17, has been performing the Chhera Panhara ritual since 1971.

BAHUDA YATRA: The return festival or Bahuda Yatra is organised on Ashadha Shukla Dasami (10th day). On their way back to the 12th-century shrine, the deities are offered a special cake called ‘Poda Pitha’, made of rice, coconut, lentils and jaggery at the Mausimaa Temple (their aunt’s temple).

SUNA BESHA: A day after the Bahuda Yatra, the deities are adorned with gold ornaments, including crowns, and hands and legs made of gold on the chariots in front of the Lion’s Gate, which is called Suna Besha (golden attire).

NILADRI BIJE: The home-coming of the deities, also called “Niladri Bije”, is celebrated on the 12th day of the Ashadha month, which also marks the end of the Rath Yatra festival. The sibling deities are taken to the sanctum sanctorum again in pahandi (ceremonial ritual).

RASAGOLA DIVAS: Devotees offer Rasagola (a sweet dish made of cheese) to Goddess Laxmi on behalf of Lord Jagannath to appease her, as she gets angry for not being taken on the Raths to the Gundicha Temple. For the past few years, people in Odisha have also celebrated the day of Niladri Bije as the Rasagola Divas.