Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra: The world famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath has started in Puri. Lakhs of devotees are arriving to see this grand event. But do you know who sits first in the chariot? Why does Lord Jagannath sit at the end?
Puri (Odisha): The atmosphere of Puri is filled with devotion and enthusiasm on Thursday as the world famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath has started here.
Lakhs of devotees gather on the Grand Road (Baddanda) to witness this magnificent procession and get a glimpse of their adored deities, who are riding on their grand chariots.
Who would sit before Jagannath in the journey to Puri?
Under a very special and traditional ritual ‘Pahandi’, the deities are being brought out of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in a grand procession. According to the age-old tradition, Lord Sudarshan, the weapon of Lord Jagannath, is first brought to the chariot. After them Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and finally the Lord of the Universe, Lord Jagannath are brought out.
What are the names of the three chariots used in Jagannath Yatra?
- The deities will circumambulate the three newly built grand chariots – Nandighosh, Taladhwaja and Darpadalan – before being seated on their respective wooden chariots.
- After this, the deities will be ceremoniously seated on their thrones (Ratha Bije) for their annual visit to the Gundicha temple.
- After installing the deities on the chariots, the two most important rituals of the Rath Yatra will be performed.
Who performs the first puja in Puri before the start of Rath Yatra?
- Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, along with his disciples will go and offer prayers on all three chariots.
- After this, the (nominal) Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb, the king of Puri, will arrive in a royal palanquin and perform the ritual of cleaning the chariots.
- This ritual symbolizes everyone being equal before God.
All three chariots are swept with a golden broom.
- Gajapati Maharaja will sweep the platforms of the three chariots with a broom with a gold handle and sprinkle fragrant holy water.
- After the completion of these royal rituals and the wooden horses are placed in the chariots, the devotees will start pulling the chariots from around 2 pm.
- First of all, Lord Balabhadra’s chariot ‘Taladhwaj’ will move forward.
- After that, the chariot of Goddess Subhadra ‘Darpadalan’ and finally the chariot of Lord Jagannath ‘Nandighosh’ will move towards Gundicha temple at Baddanda. (ANI)