Jaganath Rath Yatra 2024
On July 7, 2024, this year, Lord Jagannatha’s most famous festival will take place. In Hinduism, the Jagannatha Rath Yatra has great sacred importance. The Odisha state of Puri celebrates this festival with splendour.
Jaganath Rath Yatra 2024: Date and Time
Sunday-July 07,2024-04:26 AM (Dwitiya Tithi Begins)
Monday-July 08,2024-04:59 AM (Dwitiya Tithi Ends)
Date and Duration:
Ratha Yatra is usually celebrated in June or July, depending on the lunar calendar. The festival spans over a period of 9 days, with the return journey (known as Bahuda Yatra) taking place on the ninth day.
Bahuda Yatra:
Lord Jagannatha returns to his primary dwelling after taking an eight-day rest in the Gundicha temple. On Dashami Tithi, the eighth day following Ratha Yatra (assuming no one missed or jumped Tithi during the Lords’ journey at Gundicha temple), we celebrate Bahuda Yatra, also called Return Yatra. The Lord stops briefly at the Mausi Maa temple, dedicated to Goddess Ardhashini, on the Bahuda Yatra.
Monday-July 15,2024 (Dashami Tithi)
Wednesday-July 17,2024 (Sunabesha)
Thursday -July 18, 2024 (Adharapana)
Friday-July 19, 2024 (Neelandri Bije)
What is Rath Yatra?
The Ratha Yatra, commonly referred to as the celebration of Chariots (Ratha), is a major Hindu celebration that honors Lord Jagannath, the avatar of Lord Vishnu. The main location for its celebration is Puri, in the Indian state of Odisha. The gods Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and his sister Subhadra ceremoniously parade from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, which is around three kilometers distant, as part of the celebration.
What is the meaning of Chariots?
In religious festivals, chariots stand for divine transportation, spiritual travel, social harmony, and divine majesty. They also signify the process of gods and the community’s collective devotion.
Three Chariots:
The gods are carried through Puri’s streets by hundreds of worshippers on enormous, colorfully decorated chariots. Every gods has a unique chariot: Balabhadra’s is named Taladhwaja, Subhadra’s is Darpadalana, and Lord Jagannath’s is Nandighosa.
When is Rath Yatra observed?
The Festival of Chariots, or Rath Yatra, is mostly celebrated in Puri, Odisha, India. It is observed on the second day of the Hindu month of Ashadha, which normally occurs in June or July, during the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon). On July 8, 2024, Rath Yatra will be observed.
What is the meaning of Jagannath?
The Sanskrit terms “Jagat” (meaning “world” or “universe”) and “Nath” (meaning “lord” or “master”) are the source of the phrase “Jagannath”. Therefore, the translation of “Jagannath” is “Lord of the Universe.” It is a title given to Lord Krishna, the main deity of the Rath Yatra festival and the object of worship in the renowned Puri, Odisha, temple where he is revered as Jagannath.
Why is Rath Yatra observed?
Rath Yatra is celebrated to remember Lord Jagannath’s yearly trip from his residence at the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple in Puri, Odisha, with his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. This celebration represents the gods’ heavenly return to their birthplace and their visitation to those who are unable to reach the main temple. The occasion also highlights themes of inclusion, love, and dedication, reflecting the close relationship between Lord Jagannath and his followers. Thousands of devotees pull the enormous, ornately decorated wooden chariots used in the procession, which stand for the community’s togetherness and combined effort. Rath Yatra is a lively cultural festival in addition to a religious one.
Description of Ratha Yatra:
The Festival of Chariots, or Rath Yatra, is a magnificent and colorful Hindu festival that is mostly observed in Puri, Odisha. Three ornately decorated chariots, each bearing the gods Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra, are paraded from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, situated approximately three kilometers apart, during the festival. This trip is intended to represent their yearly pilgrimage to their birthplace and to grant their blessings to followers who are unable to visit the main temple. Thousands of worshippers fill the streets to draw the enormous chariots, sing devotional songs, recite hymns, and dance ferociously. The celebration is characterized by a feeling of unity and inclusiveness among the populace, as individuals from diverse backgrounds unite to
Why do people Celebrate Ratha Yatra?
In observance of Lord Jagannath’s yearly journey with his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple in Puri, Odisha, people celebrate Rath Yatra. Religious importance abounds in this celebration, which represents the gods’ visit to their home and interaction with worshippers who might not be able to visit the main temple. The relationship between the gods and their devotees, as well as themes of divine love and devotion, are symbolized by the Rath Yatra. The act of hundreds of devotees pulling the chariots depicts a communal spirit and solidarity that transcends social and economic barriers, emphasizing the universality of Hindu religion. Rath Yatra is also a time for group celebration, reaffirmation, and cultural expression.
How is Rath Yatra Festival Celebrated?
The Festival of Chariots, or Rath Yatra, is widely observed with tremendous fervor and devotion in Puri, Odisha, as well as in other regions of India and the world that host Jagannath temples. Three massive wooden chariots, each honoring the gods Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra, are ceremoniously pulled from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, a distance of almost three kilometers, to start the festival. The elaborately designed chariots, embellished with vibrant hues, floral designs, and textiles, represent the gods’ short sojourn at their aunt’s residence (Gundicha Temple).
Why birds do not fly at the top of the Jagannath temple?
Birds do not fly over the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, due to a mix of religious beliefs and unique environmental factors. Locals believe it is because the temple is a sacred place protected by divine powers. Scientifically, it is suggested that the temple’s structure and the specific airflow around it create a zone where birds avoid flying. The temple’s height and architecture might also play a role in influencing bird behavior. While there is no definitive scientific explanation, the combination of spiritual reverence and natural factors makes this phenomenon intriguing and special.