'Rath Yatra' or 'Car Festival', the most important festival of Lord Jagannath commences on 25th June 2017, Wednesday and Return Car Festival ur' Bahuda Jatra' on 3rd July 2017. This colorful festival which draws millions of devotees from various parts of the country as well as from abroad to Puri, is held in June-July every year. Lord Jagannath, Lord of the Universe, comes out of His sanctum sanctorum to give Darshan to all Devotees belonging to all sects and communities.lt is said that those who take part in the Car Festival earn their passage to the Heaven.
'Snana Pumima' marks the beginning of this festival. On this day the
three deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra take
prolonged bath on an open platform known as 'Snana Bedi', Then they
retire for 15 days popularly called the period of 'Anabasara' and remain
in isolation. During this period, no public worship is performed. After
15 days of isolation, the Gods come out of the temple in a colourful
procession to board their respective Chariots and thereafter begins the journey known as "Ratha Jatra'.The much famous Temple Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannath, takes
place in Puri. On the first day, the Jagannath temple images are carried
through the street in three huge thundering chariots which have made
this event internationally known. Nine days later, the journey is
repeated in the opposite direction. To witness this festival is an
experience of a life time, but ensure to book rooms and make all other
arrangements well in advance.
Each year, in monsoon season, the proxy images of Jagannath,
Balabhadra and Subhadra--the deities enshrined in the Jagannath Temple
at Puri--are carried in colorful processions every evening for 21 days
to the Narendra Tank where they cruise in a bright decorated boat.
In gaiety and color, this festival stands next only to the
Car Festival. On the full noon day of Jyestha (June), the Sananjatra or
the bathing festival is observed when the images in worship are actually
brought out for public viewing.
After the bathing festival, the deities spend 15 days in
seclusion during which period they are repainted and prepared for the
Car Festival. The Car Festival is celebrated on the second day of the
bright fortnight of Ashadha (June-July) and the deities are taken on a
journey of around 3 kms in stupendous and decorated chariots for sojourn
in the Gundicha Ghar till the return Car Festival which is held 9 days
later.
The chariot of Lord Jagannath, known as 'Nandighose', is 23
cubits high and has 18 wheels. The chariot of Balabhadra, which is 22
cubits in height and has 16 wheels, is named 'Taladwaja'. 'Devadalan'
the chariot of Subhadra, is 21 cubits in height and has 14 wheels.
The chariots are made anew every year in accordance with
strict and ancient specifications and are pulled by several thousand
devotees at a time. In terms of splendor and fervent devotion, the Car
Festival is one of the world's most incredible spectacles.
Courtesy: http://www.rathyatra.net/
