July 6th 2024.
The coastal city of Puri in Odisha is buzzing with excitement as the annual Rath Yatra, also known as the chariot festival of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, is set to begin this Sunday. The traditional carpenters and painters are working tirelessly to put the final touches on the three magnificent chariots of the Lords.
According to Bhaskar Mishra, a researcher on Jagannath culture, the Rath Yatra is a highly significant festival for the Jagannath temple. It takes place every year on the second day of the bright fortnight of the Ashadha month in the Hindu calendar. During this time, the holy triad embarks on a nine-day journey to their birthplace, the Gundicha Temple, located about three kilometers away from the Jagannath Temple. It is a special occasion for devotees of all sects and beliefs to catch a glimpse of the divine siblings.
After the Snan Yatra, a ritual in which the deities are bathed with 108 pitchers of scented water on the full moon day of the Jyeshtha month, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabadhra, and Devi Subhadra fall ill. This marks the beginning of the 'Anasara' period, during which the deities are kept in seclusion for 15 days. This is a time for secret rituals to be performed by a group of servitors called 'Daitapati'.
During this period, the deities are offered ayurvedic herbs and fruits to help them recover from the fever caused by the sacred bath. After they have recuperated, the deities appear before the devotees for the 'Nava Youvan Darshan', which is usually held a day before the Rath Yatra.
However, this year is a special one as the Nava Youvan Darshan, Netrotsav, and Rath Yatra are all happening on the same day, after a gap of 53 years. This poses a big challenge for the priests and the administration to complete all the rituals on time so that the chariot pulling can begin at 5pm on July 7. In light of this unique situation, the state government has declared the day after the Rath Yatra as a holiday, as the pulling of the chariots will continue on that day as well.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has called for the cooperation of all stakeholders, including servitors, district administration, and the local public, to ensure a smooth and hassle-free Rath Yatra festival. The last time such a situation occurred was in 1971, 53 years ago, when the ceremonial procession of the holy siblings, known as the Pahandi Bije, began at 2pm and the chariot pulling started at 7pm, only for the sake of ritual, according to senior Daitapati servitor Binayak Das Mohapatra.
This time, however, the aim is to complete all the rituals inside the temple by 1pm, the time fixed for the Pahandi rituals on July 7. It is also expected that more devotees will gather for the Rath Yatra as they will not be able to witness the Nava Youvan Darshan. The excitement and anticipation for this rare and unique Rath Yatra is palpable among the people of Puri and beyond.
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