Guwahati: Jagannath Rath Yatra has a lot of importance in Hinduism. This Rath Yatra is organized from the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa. According to the Hindu calendar, Jagannath Rath Yatra takes place every year on the second day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha.
Devotees in large numbers gather for the yatra every year. However, due to covid restrictions, this year the yatra will take place without any devotees.
The festival is celebrated by worshipping Lord Jagannath (ruler of the world), his elder brother Balbhadra (Balaram) and sister Subhadra. Three giant wooden chariots are made of a kind of Neem tree for the deities for the yatra. This year, the Rath Yatra has begun on Monday, July 12, at 7:47 am and will conclude on July 12, 2021, at 8:19 am.
This Rath Yatra of Puri is a symbol of harmony, brotherhood and unity.
Thousands of devotees come here from different corners of the country to take part in this yatra and get good luck by pulling the chariot of the Lord. It is said that whoever participates in the Rath Yatra, gets all kinds of happiness and prosperity. As per the directions of the Supreme Court, the Rath Yatra will be taken out in a limited area in Puri.
The court, in view of the Delta Plus variant of Covid and the possibility of a third wave, has banned the Rath Yatra in the entire state.
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2021: Significance
The literal meaning of Jagannath is Lord of Universe. In Puri, in the state of Odisha the Jagannath Temple is one of the four Dhams of Hindus. Here Lord Jagannath is worshipped with His sister Devi Subhadra and brother Balabhadra. Rath Yatra is also known as Gundicha Yatra, Ghosa yatra, Navdivisiya Yatra, Patit Pawan Yatra etc. Rath Yatra is of immense significance.
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2021: Rath importance
Every year a new wooden rath is designed. The collection of wood for the construction of rath starts from the day of Basant Panchami. Meanwhile, the construction of rath starts from Akshay Tritiya, and this year it began on May 15. On the other hand, the construction and designing work takes place in Rakh Khalla in front of Gajapati Maharaja Divya Singh Devji palace Shri Nahar.
It takes about two months to complete all the three chariots which are dedicated to the three gods: Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. Take a look to know more about the raths:
– For Lord Jagannath – Nandighosh with 16 wheels.
– For Lord Balabhadra – Tala dwaja with 14 wheels.
– For Devi Subhadra – Darpa dalan with 12 wheels.
The virtue of Rath Yatra
Lord Jagannath is one of the avatars of Lord Krishna. It is said that Rath Yatra is equal to hundred sacrifices. If a devotee takes part in this Rath Yatra and pulls the chariot of God, then he gets god’s blessings. Jagannath Rath Yatra is a ten-day festival. The preparations for the yatra begin with the construction of the chariots on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.
