With great excitement, Ahmedabad hosts the start of the Jagannath Rath Yatra. There are lots of devotees present. The much anticipated yearly Jagannath Rath Yatra, an important Indian belief and celebration, is all set.
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#WATCH | Gujarat: Jagannath Rath Yatra begins in Ahmedabad with much fanfare. Devotees gather in large numbers. pic.twitter.com/b8L3osn9Mq
— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2024
Preparations and Rituals
Preparations for the Rath Yatra start several months in advance. The construction of the chariots is a complex process involving skilled artisans and craftsmen. Three chariots are built each year, one for each deity: Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. The chariot of Lord Jagannath, called Nandighosa, is the largest, followed by Taladhwaja for Lord Balabhadra and Darpadalana for Devi Subhadra.
Approximately 14 days before the Rath Yatra, a series of important rituals are performed. One of the most notable is the Snana Yatra, where the deities are bathed with 108 pots of water. This ritual is believed to cause the deities to fall ill due to the excess water, leading to a period of isolation known as Anasara, during which devotees are unable to see them.
Historical Roots and Rituals of Rath Yatra
The Rath Yatra in Puri is a revered festival with roots tracing back to ancient times, as mentioned in the Puranas. The enormous chariots used in the Rath Yatra are meticulously crafted, a process that takes months. These chariots, adorned with intricate sculpting and carving, serve as the vehicles for three deities during the festival.
The Rath Yatra reenacts the journey of Lord Jagannath, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna, to his maternal aunt’s home, Gundicha Mandir.
