As the Jagannath Rath Yatra began on July 1 in Puri, Odisha, large crowds descended on the holy town to kick-start the religious festivities. Meanwhile, devotees in various cities also took out religious processions.
An aura of devotion pervaded across the Bada Danda in Puri for the much-awaited divine journey of Lord Jagannath to Gundicha Temple. This year, the festival is a memorable reunion of devotees with the Lord as participation of devotees in the festival has been allowed this time after a gap of two years. Devotees were not allowed to participate in the Rath Yatra due to Covid-19 restrictions clamped by the government. All the four deities including Lord Sudarsan together known as the Chaturdha Murati seated atop their chariots embarked on the nine-day-long annual sojourn. Lakhs of devotees have been witnessed thronging the pilgrim town of Puri to witness the mega spectacle.
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022 Significance
According to the scriptures, this tradition of Jagannath Rath Yatra is very old and prominent. It is believed that one day Goddess Subhadra, the younger sister of Lord Jagannath expressed her desire to go around the city and from then this procession is started. During this festival the processions of three chariots of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and his sister Goddess Subhadra are carried out from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple and stops at Mausi Maa Temple, where they are offered with their favourite food.
The three chariots stay there for 7 days then they come back to the Jagannath Temple. The three chariots are decorated with different styles same as the one followed for centuries and these chariots are carried out by priests. Pulling the chariots is considered to be highly auspicious and these chariots are followed by a large number of followers.
This festival is celebrated by a large number of devotees from all over the world and they participate in this festival. A huge procession is carried out, devotional songs are played, and devotees perform on these devotional songs and bhajans.
The devotees clean the Gundicha Temple before the stay of Lord Jagannath. The three chariots are given a different name as Lord Jagannath’s chariot is called and it has 16 wheels, Lord Balabhadra’s chariot is called as Taladhwaja and it has 14 wheels and the Goddess Subhadra’s chariots is known as Darpadalan and it has 12 wheels. The chariot of Goddess Subhadra remains in between the two chariots and the Arjun becomes the Sarathi of the chariot Nandighosha.
A very special arrangement is made every year by the government of Odisha for this processions as the devotees gather from all around the world to witness Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra.
