Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023 Day 1: Know About The Schedule, Rituals And Significance

Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 13:15

Rath Yatra, a chariot festival is celebrated every year at the famous Jagannath temple in Puri, Odisha. According to the Hindu Lunar Calendar, it is observed on Dwitiya Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Ashada month, which is usually the month of June or July.

This religious event can be traced back to the 12th century and finds mention in Hindu sacred texts such as the Padma Purana, the Brahma Purana and the Skanda Purana.

This year will mark the 145th Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra officially began today in Puri and the celebration will begin on 20 June 2023 and end on 1 July 2023. On this day, Lord Jagannatha is worshipped by the deities along with his brother Balabhadra and his sister Devi Subhadra and people from all over the world visit India to take part in the celebrations.

The Dwitiya Tithi begins at 11:25 am on 19 June 2023 and Dwitiya Tithi ends at 01:07 pm on 20 June 2023. Lord Jagannath will be taken out for the Ratha yatra on Tuesday, 20 June 2023 and this procession will start at 10.04 pm on this day. It will end on Saturday, 01 July 2023.

According to a legend, Lord Jagannath was told by his sister Subhadra that she wanted to visit the city. Lord Jagannath and Balram, both brothers wanted to fulfil their sister's wish. With very beautiful arrangements, the three of them went out for a city tour. The same tradition continues even today. All the devotees together organize a grand yatra for the three siblings so that they do not face any kind of trouble.

The festival goes on for 10 days, and therefore, we have prepared a day-wise schedule that involves special rituals and traditions followed on this day.

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023 Day 1: Know About The Schedule, Rituals And Significance

1.'Nabajouban Darshan' of Lord Jagannath

This is a very important ritual because it is the reappearance of Lord Jagannath along with his siblings for the devotees. The term 'Nabajouban Darshan' means the youthful appearance of deities, who were behind the doors in their chamber for 15 days, called 'Anasara' (quarantine), after 'Snana Purnima'. Prior to Nabajouban Darshan, priests in the temple also perform a special ritual called 'Netra Utsav' in which the deites' eyeballs are painted afresh.

According to a legend, every year, Lord Jagannath falls ill every 15 days. On the full moon day of the Jyestha month, Lord Jagannath, sister Subhadra and elder brother Balabhadra are brought out of the temple and given a holy bath in cold water on snana yatra day. Due to this, Lord Jagannath he catches a fever and stays in his bedroom for 15 days in a resting posture. When he gets well with ample rest, food and medicines, then comes out to visit his devotees and it marks the beginning of rath yatra day.

2. The Padhandi Ritual

After the consecration of the chariots, Nandighosha for Lord Jagannath and Madan Mohan, Debadalana Ratha for Devi Subhadra and Shri Chakraraj Sudarshan and Taladhwaja for Balabhadra Prabhu and Ramakrishna, the Padhandi ritual begins. Lord Jagannath embarks on a 9-day journey along with his siblings. The term 'Pahandi' means a slow step-by-step movement with the spreading of feet.

According to 'Dhadi Pahandi' tradition, Shri Chakraraj Sudarshan is taken to the chariot first, followed by Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannatha. For this ceremonial procession, a wooden cross is tried to their backs and thick ropes made of silk are tied around their heads and waists.

At the seven-stairs northern exit from the dancing hall, the three deities assemble and receive giant floral crowns, called Tahiya, richly decorated massive headgears. According to a report by local media in Odisha, Lord Sudarshana and Devi Subhadra are carried on the shoulders while Lord Balabhadra and Lord Jagannath are dragged through the Pata Agana, Anand Bazaar, inner lion's gate, Baishi Pahacha, lion's gate, Gumuti, Arunastambha and finally to their respective chariots in rhythmic movement.

3. The Gold Broom Ritual

Before the Rath yatra begins, the road is cleaned with a golden broom and numerous rituals are followed on this day. After the grand chariots are prepared, the palanquin of the Gajapati King of Puri arrives for its worship. This worship ritual is called 'Chhar Pehanra'.

This is the ritual where the descendants of the royal family sweep the path of the chariot with a golden broom. Along with this, he sprinkles sandalwood water all around. This is a very popular practice of Rath Yatra and it shows that everyone is equal before Lord Jagannath.

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