"Origin of Rath Yatra (The Grand Festival of Chariots)" by Meghna Choudhury (H.G. Mathura Vasi Devi Dasi)

This majestic, glorious and sacred festival which draws millions of devotees not just from various parts of the country but from all over the world to Puri, Orissa, India is celebrated during the month of June-July every year.

Lord Jagannath - the Lord of the Universe along with His brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Goddess Subhadra, comes out of His sanctum sanctorum to give Darshan to all pilgrims and devotees belonging to all sects and communities.

‘Rath’ means chariot and ‘Yatra’ denotes procession or pilgrimage.

lt is said that those who take part in this spectacular festival also popularly known as the ‘Car Festival’ or ‘The Festival of Chariots’ earn their passage to Heaven.

The most awaited festival is a grand celebration where the Lordships give special 'darshan' to their devotees. It is an auspicious opportunity for all, to offer prayers by witnessing the spectacular beauty of the Dieties, riding on their beautifully decorated magnificient chariots.

There are several interesting episodes about the origin of Rath Yatra stated in Vedic scriptures.

(1) In the Vedic scripture 'Srimad Bhagavatam', it is said that devotees celebrated this day when Shri Krishna and Balram left Gokul for Mathura in a chariot. This was known as Rath Yatra.

(2) After Lord Krishna delivered the evil Kansa, he gave darshan to devotees in a rath with Balram, in Mathura.

(3) When Lord Krishna was in Dwarka, on the west coast of Saurashtra, he once took his sister, Subhadra for a ride in a chariot to show her the city’s beauty. Devotees celebrated this day as Rath Yatra.

(4) After he left his material body, his bones floated to the shore of Jagannath Puri, on the east coast of India. Here, the Lord gave darshan to King Indradyumna and instructed him to collect the bones, place them at the back of wooden dieties and build a temple.

Since then, during Rath Yatra, the dieties of Lord Jagannath, Balram and Subhadra are placed on separate chariots and pulled by millions of devotees. This is the greatest Rath Yatra utsav in the world.

Article by:

Meghna Choudhury

(H.G. Mathura Vasi Devi Dasi)

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