The Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 is one of the most significant and grandest festivals celebrated in India. This annual event commemorates the journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha to the Gundicha Temple, about 3 kilometers away.
The Puri Rath Yatra 2024 is scheduled to start on June 29th and conclude on July 7th with the Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of the deities. The festival is celebrated on the second day of the bright lunar fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June-July).
The Puri Rath Yatra holds immense religious significance for Hindus, especially the followers of the Vaishnavism sect. It is the only time of the year when the deities leave the sanctum of the Jagannath Temple to give darshan to the masses. The festival symbolizes the journey of life and the movement of the divine through the earthly realm. Pulling the chariots of the deities is believed to bring immense spiritual merit.
The festivities begin with the Snana Yatra, a ceremonial bath for the deities, which occurs about 18 days prior on Jyestha Purnima. After the Snana Yatra, the deities are kept in isolation due to a slight discoloration, considered as a period of illness, until the day of the Rath Yatra.
Also Check
- Indian Cricket Team: Prime Minister Modi, overjoyed by the victory of T20 World Cup, will meet the Indian cricket team
- Rajya Sabha adjourned indefinitely after PM Modi’s speech, Chairman raised questions on the attitude of opposition
- PM Modi said on Manipur- ‘Those who are adding fuel to the fire should mend their ways, the government is taking necessary steps to establish peace’
- Arvind Kejriwal did not get relief, Rouse Avenue Court extended judicial custody
- Sloganeering, uproar and running away… this is what is written in their fate, said Modi on the opposition’s walkout in Rajya Sabha
On the day of the Rath Yatra, the three wooden chariots are meticulously decorated by local artists. Lord Jagannath’s chariot is the largest, standing 44 feet tall with 16 massive wheels, followed by Lord Balabhadra’s 43-foot chariot with 14 wheels, and Goddess Subhadra’s 42-foot chariot with 12 wheels. These chariots are pulled manually by 50-meter long ropes, with devotees rushing to help as they believe it earns them good deeds.
The Puri Rath Yatra is a visually captivating event, rich in rituals and traditions that have been followed for centuries. One of the most significant rituals is the Chhera Pahanra, where the King of Puri sweeps the chariots with a gold-handled broom, signifying that everyone is equal in the eyes of the Lord.
The Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 is a testament to the deep-rooted Hindu traditions and the unity of the people, as devotees from all walks of life gather to celebrate this grand festival. For more information, please visit the official website at www.shreejagannatha.in.
The Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 is scheduled to take place from June 29th to July 7th, 2024.
The key dates and timings for the 2024 Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra are:
- Snana Yatra (ceremonial bath): Approximately 18 days before Rath Yatra, on Jyestha Purnima
- Rath Yatra Day: June 29th, 2024
- Bahuda Yatra (return journey): July 7th, 2024
The Rath Yatra rituals and procession have a meticulously timed schedule:
- Mangaraja Bije (Anointed Ceremony): Early morning
- Pahandi Bije (Procession to the Chariots): Around 9 AM
- Chhera Pahanra (Sweeping of the Chariots by the King): Around 11 AM
- Pulling of the Chariots: Post noon, approximately around 2 PM
The Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of the largest and most significant Hindu festivals, celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion. Millions of devotees gather in Puri, Odisha to witness this grand event every year.