Rath Yatra 2013 In Pictures

Thursday, July 11, 2013, 13:48 [IST]

The much awaited Rath Yatra has started today. Also known as Roth Jatra or Chariot Festival, it is a popular Hindu festival in Odhisa. Unaffected by the high alert after bomb blasts in Bodh Gaya, devotees of Jagannath have gathered together to celebrate Rath Yatra this year. It is a celebration time in Odhisa with a huge crowd gathering up on the streets of Jagannath temple to take the idols to Shri Gundicha Temple (some 3 kilometers away) in huge chariots. From the streets of Bada Danda, the huge raths (chariots) are taken to the Shri Gundicha temple.

Rath Yatra is held once every year in the month of Asadha (rainy season that falls in June-July). The three idols namely Jagannath, Balabhadra (elder brother of Lord Krishna) and Subhadra (younger sister of Lord Krishna and Balabhadra). The three chariots are coloured with green, yellow and red. Jagannath rath is coloured in yellow, Balabhadra in green and Subhadra in red.

The Rath Yatra in Puri is a 7-days festival where the three idols visit Gundicha (their aunt) and then return back. The huge chariots are well-decorated with flowers and are adorned every year.

There is a common tradition that is going on since ages. The Gajapati King wears the dress of a sweeper once the idols are placed on their chariots. He sweeps the road with a golden broom and then cleans and purifies it with sandalwood water.

As Rath Yatra commenced today, here are few stills from the live coverage at Puri Jagannath Temple.

Rath Yatra In Pictures:

Jagannath Idol

This is the Jagannath idol in Jagannath Temple (Puri) that is placed into the decorated rath before the procession starts.

The Three Jagannath Temple Idols

From right, it is Jagannath, Subhadra in middle and Balaram or Balabhadra in left.

The Three Raths

These three idols will be placed in their respective raths. Jagannath rath is coloured in yellow, Balabhadra in green and Subhadra in red.

The Huge Procession

This is the huge chariot procession that will start outside the Jagannath temple (Puri) and ends at Shri Gundicha Temple.

In Bengal

The festive fever also spreads to Bengal. Young kids get dressed and carry the decorated chariot which has small idols of Jagnnath, Balabhadra and Subhadra.

Subhadra

The idol of Subhadra from Jagannath Templeis is been taken by pandas (pandits) into her rath. The wooden idols are really heavy and needs a lot of human effort to move.