Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra, also known as the chariot festival, began today with great enthusiasm and pomp. The chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra is one of the most important festivals celebrated in India. The celebrations every year take place in Odisha’s Puri, where the revered Jagannath temple is situated. Check out these gorgeous pictures and videos from the festival.
Pictures And Videos From Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023
The three chariots in front of Shree Mandira after Agyanmala Bije.#RathaYatra2023#JayJagannatha pic.twitter.com/AytMD0vjDb
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) June 19, 2023
Jagannath Rath Yatra is an important festival that is celebrated every year on the second day of Shukla Paksha. This beautiful festival symbolises Lord Jagannath’s journey from Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple.
ଶ୍ରୀ ସୁଦର୍ଶନ ଦେବଙ୍କ ପହଣ୍ଡି ବିଜେ ।
The ‘Pahandi Bije’ of Shree ‘Sudarshana Deba’.#JayJagannatha#RathaYatra2023#Pahandi pic.twitter.com/9lSZfE4iLE
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) June 20, 2023
The festivities began this morning at 9:30am with “Pahandi”. It is a royal ritual in which several devotees beat Kahali, Ganta, and Telinga Baja, beginning the journey of these deities into the world. The three deities are taken to the Gundicha temple in three different chariots, which are pulled by devotees.
The consecration ritual or “Pratistha Puja” of the newly constructed “Rathas” has been performed as per tradition.#RathaYatra2023#JayJagannatha pic.twitter.com/EpLWBxvogO
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) June 20, 2023
People in large numbers have gathered across the route and the temple to witness the beauty of the Rath Yatra, this year. The yatra symbolises the devotion and unity of people from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and cultures too.
ବିଜେ ପ୍ରତିମା ପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀ ମଦନମୋହନ ଓ ରାମକୃଷ୍ଣ ରଥକୁ ବିଜେ ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି ।#JayJagannatha#RathaYatra2023#Pahandi pic.twitter.com/XHj7YCPcoV
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) June 20, 2023
Well-known sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik commemorated this festival with a beautiful sand art piece using 250 coconuts on the Puri beach in Odisha.
Jai Jagannath…🙏
On the auspicious occasion of the #RathaYatra, My sand art with installations of 250 coconuts at #Puri beach in Odisha . My daughter Saanvi’s song on #RathaJatra . https://t.co/A5LMMVya8E pic.twitter.com/hYhe4nV2tt— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) June 20, 2023
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A Famous Festival Dedicated To Lord Vishnu
ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କର ନନ୍ଦିଘୋଷ ରଥକୁ ପହଣ୍ଡି ବିଜେ ।
‘Pahandi Bije’ of ‘Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha’ to ‘Nandighosha Ratha’.#RathaYatra2023#JayJagannatha#Pahandi pic.twitter.com/BO6eo3ykgR
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) June 20, 2023
The festival of chariots, or Jagannath Rath Yatra, means the journey of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra to Gundicha temple, where they will reside for the next 8 days.
ମା ସୁଭଦ୍ରାଙ୍କର ଦର୍ପଦଳନ ରଥକୁ ପହଣ୍ଡି ବିଜେ ।
Pahandi Bije of ‘Maa Subhadra’ to ‘Darpadalana ratha’.#RathaYatra2023#JayJagannatha#Pahandi pic.twitter.com/Zlx5jMjDXi
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) June 20, 2023
According to a popular legend, the Jagannath temple in Puri was built by King Indrayumna. The idols present inside the temple were made by Lord Vishwakarma. But he had agreed to make the idols on the condition that he would make them behind closed doors and that no one should walk inside until he completed making them.
ବଡ଼ଠାକୁର ଶ୍ରୀ ବଳଭଦ୍ରଙ୍କ ତାଳଧ୍ଵଜ ରଥକୁ ପହଣ୍ଡି ବିଜେ ।
‘Pahandi Bije’ of ‘Badathakura Shree Balabhadra’ to the ‘Taladhwaja Ratha’.#RathaYatra2023#JayJagannatha#Pahandi pic.twitter.com/IWUXDlsCvR
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) June 20, 2023
But King Indrayumna gets curious and opens the door. Lord Vishwakarma leaves the place there and leaves the idols incomplete. The idols of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra have been worshipped in their incomplete form since then.
ରଥର ଆଜ୍ଞାମାଳ ବିଜେ ହେବା ପରେ, ତିନି ରଥ ଶ୍ରୀମନ୍ଦିର ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ ।#RathaYatra2023#JayJagannatha pic.twitter.com/9YBZJ1iGDd
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) June 19, 2023
Lord Jagannath had promised King Indrayumna’s wife, Queen Gundicha, that the three deities would visit the Gundicha temple every year for eight days in their chariots.
Jagannath Rath Yatra is the biggest festival in the world.
Jay Jagannath🙏#RathYatra #Jagannath #jagannathtemple #jagannathpuri pic.twitter.com/JE6g1KMGcP
— Go Gujarat (@GoGujarat_) June 20, 2023
Every year, lakhs of devotees visit Puri to witness this yatra. It is known to be significant for people in search of salvation or moksha.
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Have you ever witnessed this yatra? Let us know your experience.
Cover Image Courtesy: @shrijagannathtemple/Twitter