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Saturday, July 2, 2011

Poda Pitha And Ratha Jatra (The famous Chariot Festival of Puri)















Ratha Jatra also known as the Chariot festival or Car festival, is one of the most important festivals in Orissa and also a major tourist attraction. This festival is celebrated in honour of Lord Jaganaath who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Every year in the month of Asada, the Chariots of the Lord Jaganath accompained with those of his siblings, Lord Balabhadra & Goddess Subhadra roll from Srimandira to Gundicha temple, the abode of his Mausi maa ( Mother's sister ). The sight of the sea of humanity which follows the Gods during this journey is a truely overwhelming experience.















The majestic sandalwood chariots take more than two months to prepare and are built newly every year. The chariots also have very interesting names :
Nandighosa - Lord Jaganath's chariot
Taladhwaja - Lord Balabharda's chariot
Darpadalan - Lord subhadra's chariot.

Important rituals on this day are :
Pahandi - the Lords are carried from the temple to the chariots in a grand procession; and
Chera pahanra - the chariots of the Lords are swept by the incumbent King of Puri with a broom which has a few gold strands in it.

The chariots are pulled by the eager followers who believe it be aspicious. The journey takes about midday to evening. In case the Lords are not able to complete the journey on the same day, they resume the remaining jouney on the next day.

The Lords stay at Gundicha temple for 7 days and return to Shri mandira in a similar procession which is called the Bahuda or Ulta Ratha Jatra.

During their stay at the Mausi Maa Mandira, various edibles are offered to the Lords as prasad. SOme of them are Khaee, Khira Kadali, Gajja, Pheni, Poda pitha, Manda pitha, Enduri pitha, Arissa pitha and Karaka pitha.

Ratha jatra is also celebrated at the ISKON temples and by the oriya community settled in various parts of India and abroad.

Catch the live action in Hyderabad @ Jaganath Temple, Banjara Hills or @ ISKON temple, Secundrabad.

Jai Jaganath!!!

6 comments:

  1. Wonderful shots, both of them, so beautiful...
    Wish I could be a part of the Yatra once, I have been to the Jaggannath Temple twice...
    Have a beautiful Sunday:)
    Jai Jaggannath:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear AOF
    Very well presented , I like it

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love it. I had been to the Jagannath temple as a kid and was mighty impressed. Your pictures brings back the happy memories of the place. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear AOF

    I too had visited Puri Jagganath Temple eight years back with my hubby. Very nice experience.

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lovely writings...wish u a happy rathyatra...jai jagannath..:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful festival, its been a long we visited Jaganath temple..like this beautiful post..

    ReplyDelete

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