On the occasion of the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra, which starts on Tuesday, thousands of worshippers have flocked to Puri in Odisha to catch sight of Lord Jagannath, whose icon is removed from the Jagannath temple.
The holy festival is held annually on the second day of the light fortnight in the month of Ashadha and is organized in accordance with the Hindu calendar. Odisha, a coastal city, celebrates the occasion with great jubilation and devotion. To comprehend the significance of the ages-old ceremony and the Jagannath Puri Ratha, learn more about it.
On this day, gorgeous chariots carry Lord Jagannath, who is also known as the "Lord of the Universe," from the temple. Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra's and Lord Jagannath's idols are also paraded across the city before being brought to the Gundicha Temple on several chariots. The three idols remain there for a while before going back to the main temple.
Catching a glimpse of the idols riding in chariots on the opening day of the festival's nine days is the main event. Following the installation of the three deities atop the embellished chariots, the big Rath Yatra gets underway. The names of the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra are Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalan respectively. Many followers are used to drawing these chariots.
The three gods are transported back to Lord Jagannath Temple from Gundicha Temple. The return trip to the temple is known as the Bahuda Yatra. It occurs at the conclusion of the ten-day festival. The return yatra will take place on June 28, 2023. On the tenth day of the Ashadha month, the return rath yatra begins.
The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra will start on Tuesday at 10:04. The Rath Yatra will conclude at 7:09 pm the next day. For the past month, people have been getting ready for the day.
