festivals
What is Rath Yatra and what is the significance of the three chariots used in the procession?
What the festival is
Rath Yatra takes place on a specific day in the Hindu month of Ashadha, when the moon is waxing. The three deities at its heart are Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra, and their sister Subhadra. On this day they leave the main temple and travel by chariot to the Gundichi Mandir, a temple a short distance away. They stay there for several days before returning. The journey out and the journey back are both celebrated. Pulling the chariot ropes is seen as a great act of devotion. The tradition holds that even a glimpse of the deities on the chariots brings deep spiritual merit.
The three chariots and what they mean
Each deity rides a separate chariot, and each chariot has its own identity. Balabhadra's chariot is called Taladhwaja. Subhadra's is called Darpadalana or Devadalana. Jagannath's is called Nandighosa, sometimes described as the tallest and grandest of the three. The Puranic tradition, including the Skanda Purana, gives each chariot its own colours, flags, and decorations. These are not just decoration. Each element is tied to the nature of the deity riding it. The chariots are built fresh every year from specific types of wood, following rules passed down over generations. No nails or metal fasteners are used in the traditional construction. The act of building them is itself considered sacred work.
Why the deities come out of the temple
One reason the tradition gives for the procession is that the deities come out to be seen by everyone, including those who might not enter the main temple. This openness is a strong part of Rath Yatra's character. The Gundichi Mandir is sometimes described as the deities' maternal aunt's home, or as a garden palace. The stay there is seen as a kind of visit or holiday before the return journey. The festival has been held at Puri for a very long time and is one of the most widely known Hindu festivals in the world. UNESCO has recognised it as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage.
Mahaprasad and the wider tradition
Food offered to Lord Jagannath at Puri, called Mahaprasad, holds a special place in this tradition. It is prepared in large quantities and shared widely during the festival. The sharing of Mahaprasad is seen as an act that cuts across social difference, which has long been a noted feature of the Puri tradition. Rath Yatra is also celebrated in many other cities and countries today, wherever communities devoted to Lord Jagannath have settled.
Today
The Puri Rath Yatra draws enormous crowds each year. The festival is also held in cities across India and in many countries where the Hindu diaspora has built temples or community centres. The form varies, but the three chariots and the three deities remain at the centre of it everywhere. For many people far from Puri, taking part in a local Rath Yatra is a way to stay connected to this tradition.