PURI JAGANNATH RATH YATHRA ON 7TH AND 8TH JULY 2024




 Puri Raths  are three chariots that are made of wood and decorated by local artists. Lord Jagannath’s chariot is the biggest of the three having 16 massive wheels and a height of 44 feet. While Lord Balarama’s chariot has 14 wheels and a height of 43 feet followed by Goddess Subhadra’s chariot having 12 wheels and a height of 42 feet. They are pulled manually by 50-metre long ropes, people rush to pull the chariots as they believe that pulling the chariot earns them good deeds and penance for their errors.

In Puri Rath Yatra, Lord Balaram’s chariot is pulled first then Goddess Subhadra’s followed by Lord Jagannath’s.


Jagannath means ‘The Lord of the World’. Hindu legend states that every year during Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, pays a visit to his aunt’s shrine in the Gundicha shrine.  


Puri to Gundicha temple is 3 kilometers, although Puri Rath Yatra takes two hours owing to crowds. The goddesses stay in the temple for nine days, where devotees worship before returning to  Puri.


The return trip from Gundicha Shrine to Puri Shrine is the Bahuda Yatra. 


On the way back, Poda Pitha is presented to the goddesses at the Mausi Maa Temple (their aunt’s home). Lord Jagannath liked this poor man’s cuisine. 


Puri Rath Yatra is India’s oldest and largest annual celebration. Skanda, Brahma and Padma Puranas have references about the festivals.  Puri Rath Yatra symbolizes the fraternity of the people who meet here from diverse socioeconomic systems and countries, in addition to the religious aspect.


The President of India Shrimathi Droupadi Murmu is attending the Puri Rath Yatra this year. 


E-TOUCH PRAYS LORD JAGANNATH TO SHOWER HIS BLESSINGS TO ALL OUR READERS. JAI SHRI JAGANNATH !

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