PURI RATH YATRA
1. Context
The annual Rath Yatra, a car festival celebrating Lord Jagannath, attracts millions of visitors to the beach town of Puri in Odisha. This year, the festival commenced on June 20, with devotees eagerly participating in the nine-day procession.
2. Significance of the Rath Yatra
- Commemorating the journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
- Held on the second day of the Odia month of Ashadha Shukla Tithi.
- Believed to be an opportunity for Lord Jagannath to meet all his devotees since non-Hindus are not allowed inside the Jagannath Temple.
3. The three Chariots
- Taladhawaja Rath for Lord Balabhadra, Darpadalan Rath for Goddess Subhadra and Nandighosa Rath for Lord Jagannath.
- Each chariot has unique features such as colours, height, diameter, wooden horses, guardian deities and charioteers.
- Made from locally available wood by skilled workers using traditional methods and techniques.
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Image Source: India Today4. Chhera Panhara Ritual
- Before pulling the chariots, the scion of the erstwhile Puri royal family performs a special ritual called "Chhera Panhara".
- The ritual involves sweeping the floor of the chariots with a golden broom, symbolizing the dignity of labour and the quality of all tasks in the eyes of the Lord.
- Puri king Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb has been performing this ritual since 1971.
5. Sea of People
- The Rath Yatra attracts a large number of devotees, including foreigners, to Puri.
- The Gundicha Yatra, a part of the festival, draws massive crowds and is considered highly auspicious.
- Devotees believe that witnessing Lord Jagannath on his chariot can liberate them from the cycle of rebirth.
6. Police Arrangements
- Puri is transformed into a fortress during the Rath Yatra to manage the influx of devotees.
- Senior police officers are assigned duties to ensure crowd management, traffic control, and VVIP security.
- Approximately, 5, 700 personnel from nearly 180 platoons were deployed this year, along with a special traffic management plan.
7. Bahuda Yatra
- The return festival takes place on Ashadha Shukla Dasami, the 10th day of the festival.
- The deities are offered a special cake called "Poda Pitha" at the Mausimaa Temple on their way back to the Jagannath Temple.
- Special rituals are conducted by servitors when the Chariots reach the Lion's Gate of the Temple.
8. Suna Besha
- The day after Bahuda Yatra, the deities are adorned with gold ornaments known as Suna Besha.
- The Gold ornaments, including crowns, hands and legs are brought from the treasure chamber of the Jagannath Temple.
- Devotees flock to witness the deities' golden attire during this ceremony.
9. Homecoming
- The homecoming of the deities is called "Niladri Bije", celebrated on the 12th day of the Ashadha month, which also marks the end of the Rath Yatra festival.
- The sibling deities are taken to the sanctum sanctorum again in Pahandi (ceremonial ritual).
- As per rituals, devotees offer Rasagola (a sweet dish made of cheese) to Goddess Laxmi on behalf of Lord Jagannath to appease her, as she gets angry for not being taken on the Raths to the Gundicha Temple.
- For the past few years, people in Odisha also celebrate the day of Niladri Bije as the Rasagola Divas.
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For Prelims: Puri Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath, Puri, Gajapati kings, Gundicha Temple.
For Mains:
1. Analyze the impact of the Rath Yatra on the tourism industry in Puri, attracting millions of visitors from across the globe. How does the festival contribute to the local economy? (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions
1. Which of the following temples of Odisha has historically been associated with a sweet Section: General Awareness called Rasagola which also helped Odisha win GI tag for the sweet? (SSC JE CE 2019)
A. Bhubaneshwar Lingaraja Temple
B. Cuttack Dhabaleswar Temple
C. Puri Jagannath Temple
D. Konark Sun Temple
Answer: C
2. In which of the following years was the Gajapati kingdom of Orissa established? (SSC GD 2021)
A. 1567 B. 1336 C. 1467 D. 1435
Answer: D
3. With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2022)
1. The Dutch established their factories/warehouses on the east coast on lands granted to them by Gajapati rulers.
2. Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate.
3. The English East India Company established a factory at Madras on a plot of land leased from a representative of the Vijayanagara empire.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
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Source: The Indian Express
