Puri Rath Yatra Highlights: Jagannath Temple administration in Puri said that about 1,000 officials, other than police personnel, were deployed. (Image: Twitter/CMO Odisha)Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2021 Highlights: One of the biggest festivals in India, the Rath Yatra for Lord Jagannath is commencing on Monday. Held at one of the Char Dhams – Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, – the festival is among the most famous Vaishnavite rituals in India and abroad, and therefore, usually witnesses much fervour and enthusiasm among devotees who come to pray to the deities – Lord Jagannath, Lord Balbhadra and Lordess Subhadra. For the festival, special chariots are built every year, and this year has been no different.
However, while usually tourists throng the temple premises during the festival, this year, due to the coronavirus restrictions, no devotees were allowed during the much awaited Rath Yatra, even as Lord Jagannath is the one of the principal deities in the state of Odisha. Moreover, the chariot pullers who participated in the procession have been tested negative for COVID-19 with the help of an RT-PCT test, and have also been fully vaccinated, the officials said. Apart from this, the Jagannath Temple administration in Puri said that about 1,000 officials, other than police personnel, were deployed.
Financial Express Online brings you the latest updates on the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2021.
Highlights
Lord Jagannath's Nandighosa Rath has reached the Gundicha temple, marking the culmination of the Rath Yatra
Amidst beating of cymbals, blowing of conch shells and chanting of 'Hari Bol', Lord Jagannath and his celestial siblings' annual Ratha Jatra began in Odisha's Puri on Monday with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols as the entire coastal town was placed under curfew. See images here
Lord Balbhadra's Taladhwaja and Goddess Subhadra's Devadalan have reached the Gundicha temple. Lord Jagannath's Nandighosa rath is also set to culminate its journey to the Gundicha temple shortly.
Lord Jagannath, along with his elder brother and younger sister, is scheduled to stay at the Gundicha temple for a few days, before the return journey, called Bahuda Yatra, is set to take place on the ninth day from the day of the Rath Yatra.
The three chariots of Lord Balbhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Jagannath are nearing the Gundicha temple, and are expected to reach their abode for the next few days shortly.
Much like last year, the traditional gaiety on Rath Yatra was missing in West Bengal on Monday as authorities at the much-revered Mahesh temple in Hooghly district cancelled all festivities in the wake of COVID-related restrictions, and ISKCON temples in Kolkata and Mayapur marked the occasion with muted celebrations. At the Kolkata temple of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which had to put off its 50th year celebrations amid the pandemic-induced curbs, arrangements have been made for Lord Jagannath's travel in a carcade, along with his divine siblings, as part of the rituals. No chariot will be taken out on the streets, in a departure from tradition. (PTI)
Among the many arrangements made for the annual Rath Yatra in Puri is the continuous provision of water for spraying on roads to reduce the temperature of the tarmac as barefoot servitors pull the chariots along the route during the procession.
The 144th annual rath yatra of Lord Jagannath was held in Ahmedabad on Monday without the usual festive spirit and crowds and culminated in four hours, instead of the usual 12 hours, amid heavy security as the general public was not allowed to participate in it in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Curfew was imposed since early morning on the entire procession route to stop people from gathering on roads. The journey of the chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra, began from the 400-year-old Jagannath temple in Jamalpur area at around 7 am and returned by 11 am, an official said. After the chariots came back to the temple, Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja, who supervised the entire event, announced lifting of the curfew. (PTI)
The entire 3-km stretch of the Grand Road in front of the temple wore a deserted look as only some selected priests and police personnel were allowed to participate in the festival. Only those servitors, police personnel and officials who have tested negative for COVID-19 have been allowed to take part in the festival, Puri Collector Samarth Verma said. Gatherings on streets or rooftops have been prohibited. The curfew has been imposed in the interest of public health, he said. (PTI)
The Rath of Lord Jagannath is guarded by Garuda, and its rope is called Sankha Chuda. The gatekeepers of the Nandighosa chariot are called Jay and Vijay, while Daruka is the name of the Charioteer.
After much wait, the Nandighosa Rath of Lord Jagannath pulls from Jagannath Temple to make its journey towards Gundicha temple.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has requested people in the state to worship Lord Jagannath at their homes as Rath Yatra will not be taken out this year due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation. Soren said that Rath Yatra could not be allowed for the second consecutive year as the coronavirus threat is still looming large in the state. "It pains me to not allow Rath Yatra but many stern steps have to be taken to secure our tomorrow. Celebration of many festivals had to be subdued due to COVID-19. Seek blessings of Lord Jagannath from the safety of your homes," the chief minister said in a statement issued late on Sunday night. (PTI)
After the pulling of Goddess Subhadra's Rath, Lord Jagannath's chariot is set to be pulled shortly. As per traditions, Lord Balbhadra's chariot is pulled first, followed by the chariot of Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath's Rath is pulled last.
Goddess Subhadra's Devadalan Rath commences journey towards Gundicha temple during Rath Yatra.
The Devadalan Rath of Lord Jagannath's younger sister Godess Subhadra has four red horses called Rochika, Mochika, Jita and Aparajita. It has a height of 44 feet and 6 inches, and is draped in red and black cloth. Fitted with 12 wheels of 6 feet each, the charioteer of Devadalan Rath is named Arjun.
Usually, the three chariots are pulled by servitors and devotees with the help of ropes, but this year, due to the coronavirus restrictions, only servitors are present at the processions and therefore, they are the only ones who are pulling the chariots.
The Nandighosa Rath of Lord Jagannath is also called 'Garudadhwaja', and is approximately 45 ft and 6 inches high. Having an area of 35 sqft, it has 16 wheels, each having a diameter of 7 feet. The Rath is draped in red and yellow cloth, which is the special colour of Lord Jagannath, since he is also seen as a form of Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna who are also associated with the colour yellow. The horses attached to Lord Jagannath's Nandighosa are white.
The streets of Puri were empty in stark contrast to usual scene on the day of Rath Yatra, as citizens adhered to the COVID-19 restrictions and stayed at home to witness the chariot festival virtually.
Here are some of the interesting facts associated with Lord Jagannath Puri Rath yatra that is 460 years old and has its mention in Brahma Purana, Skanda Purana, Padma Purana, and Kapila Samhita. Read more
Lord Jagannath's elder brother Lord Balbhadra begins journey to Gundicha Temple aboard the Taladhwaja Rath.
The Charioteer of the Taladhwaja Rath is called Matali, and the chariot is guarded by Basudev. The gatekeepers of the chariot are called Nanda and Sunanda. The flag of the chariot is called Unmani.
The Taladhwaja Chariot of Lord Balbhadra has been adorned in red and bluish-green cloth. Approximately 45 ft in height, the Taladhwaja Rath has an area of 34 sqft. It has been fitted with 14 wheels, each having a diameter of 6 ft and 6 inches. The chariot is also known as 'Langaladhwaja'. The four horses tied to the chariot have been named Tibra, Ghora, Dirgha Sharma and Swarnanabha.
The Taladhwaja Rath of Lord Balbhadra, older brother of Lord Jagannath, pulls, commencing the Rath Yatra.
We must pray that at least from next year that the devotees would get the chance to [articipate as well. Otherwise everything going well and elaborate arrangements have been made: Suresh Mohapatra, Chief Secretary, Odisha
After the conclusion of Chhera Panhara, wooden idols of four horses are being tied to each chariot in preparation for the Rath Yatra.
The Chhera Panhara ritual by Gajapati Maharaja has concluded. The pulling of chariots is set to begin shortly.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will undertake laser scanning of some important parts of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri during the 9-day Ratha Jatra festival when the deities will not be in the temple. This was revealed by Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Krishan Kumar on Sunday. Kumar said the ASI, which looks after the conservation and preservation of the 12th-century shrine in Puri, had requested the temple administration for a laser scanning of the temple. "After discussing with stakeholders, it was decided to allow the ASI to conduct laser scanning at Nata Mandap, Jagamohan and other parts of the temple, except the Garba Gruha (sanctum sanctorum)", he said. (PTI)
Although the rath yatra would cover the entire 19-km route, the procession this time would be a shorter affair in terms of duration as the authorities have planned to conclude it in four to five hours as against the usual time of around 12 hours. (PTI)
The Chhera Panhara ritual, in which the chariots are mopped with the help of a golden broom, is being carried out by the Gajapati Maharaja.
Before the idols of the deities were placed on the chariots for the Rath Yatra in Gujarat, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the temple at around 4 am and took part in the 'mangla aarti'. (PTI)
Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati of Govardhan Peeth, Puri arrives at the temple premises amid Rath Yatra celebrations.
Lord Jagannath's ceremonial idol Madan Mohan has been placed in the Nandighosa Rath along.
The journey of the chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra began from the 400-year-old Jagannath temple in Jamalpur area here around 7 am, after Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Deputy CM Nitin Patel performed 'Pahind Vidhi'- a symbolic ritual of cleaning the way for the 'raths' (chariots). (PTI)
After ascending the Rath, Lord Jagannath's idol was adorned with flowers and basil leaves in preparation for the Rath Yatra.
The Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Gujarat's Ahmedabad was devoid of the usual festive fervour and crowds due to the curfew imposed on its route to bar people from taking part in it in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of the usual cavalcade of around 100 trucks, decked up elephants, akhadas and singing troupes, this year's procession consisted of only three chariots, pulled by nearly 100 youths from the Khalasi community, and four to five other vehicles. (PTI)
As nine-day Rath Yatra begins, Puri has been placed under a two-day curfew for which 65 platoons of police force have been deployed in the city. (ANI)
Lord Jagannath's idol has been placed in the sanctum of his Rath - Nandighosa.
Lord Balbhadra, the elder brother of Lord Jagannath, sits in his Rath - Taladhwaja.
The Jagannath Temple celebrates 148 festivals annually, which includes 12 yatras, 28 upayatras and 108 ritualistic festivals. Among these the Ratha Yatra festival of Jagannath deva celebrated in the month of Asadha (June-July) is the most well-known one, attracting innumerable devotees from across the world every year. This annual Ratha Yatra is a special occasion when the general public, especially the old and sick ones who cannot visit the shrine, get an opportunity to have a darshan of their revered deities. Besides that, as per local beliefs and scriptures (Harita Smurti. ch vi, sloka16), such open religious celebrations allay the fears of calamities and deaths. Read More