Many of us wait for the celebration of Rath Yatra. Unlike every year, in 2022, Rath Yatra will be celebrated on the 7th Day of July, 2024. It will be Sunday on the 7th Day of July 2024. However, Rath Yatra has particular puja timings. You must have a clear conception about the puja timings and shubh muhurat.
Puja Timing of Rath Yatra
The puja will commence on 7th April 2024 at 04:26 am. The puja will end at 04:59 am to the 8th Day of April 2024. You have to make all the puja preparations before that time. However, it is a seven-day long festival. Once the Rath Yatra commences from the temple, it will return after seven days. To continue the favor of the puja, the temple authorities plan for fairs and other cultural events.
You can perform anything within the puja timings. It will be good for you and your family. It may also bring good luck to your life. A special Prasad is made during this puja. It is distributed to the devotees after the end of the puja.
About Rath Yatra festival
There is a long story behind the celebration of Rath Yatra. Let us try to explore the story. Once all the gopis of Rohini, wife of the moon, requested her to plan for a visit to Lord Krishna’s Rasleela. However, she refused to go because of the presence of Subhadra. When Subhadra went out after getting some hints, she heard that Rohini was planning to go to Shri Krishna’s Rasleela. Just during this time, Lord Krishna and Balaram stood by her side and started listening to them. During that Lord Narada came and advised them to appear in the temple and take the form of Shri Jagannath, Shri Balvadra, and Subhadra.
The story dates back to 5,000 years ago. It was found that to kill Lord Krishna and Balaram, their maternal uncle Kamsa called them to Mathura. To go to that place, they took the human form during the Dwapara Yug. On the 8th day of the month, they performed miraculous feats and decided to stay in Puri during the Kali Yuga. Through this story, Puri became the home of Lord Jagannath. A beautiful temple was erected for Lord Jagannath. Thus from that commenced the concept of Rath Yatra.
The story of Rath Yatra commences from the funeral of Lord Krishna. Deeply saddened by this, Lord Balaram attempted to drown himself along with the body of Lord Krishna. However, Indradyumna, king of Puri, got the floating body of Lord Krishna. From this, they started making the body of Jagannaath, Balvadra, and Subhadra. On reaching the ashes of Lord Krishna, the king started making the statues with wood. The figures were made by Lord Vishwakarma, who is God’s architect. He had one condition that no one could open the door during his construction process. But out of impatience, the king opened the door, and Lord Vishwakarma vanished. This is why we get to see some incomplete parts on the statues.
FAQ
- What is Rath Yatra?
- Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is a Hindu festival that involves the procession of deities on chariots. The most famous Rath Yatra takes place in Puri, Odisha, where the idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra are placed on huge chariots and pulled through the streets.
- When does Rath Yatra occur?
- Rath Yatra usually occurs in the month of Ashadha (June or July) on the second day of the waxing moon. The festival spans over several days, with the main procession on the day of the Rath Yatra.
- What is the significance of Rath Yatra?
- Rath Yatra is a symbolic journey of Lord Jagannath, who is believed to visit his aunt’s temple along with his siblings. The festival is a celebration of the Lord’s annual visit and is associated with the theme of unity and equality as people from all walks of life come together to pull the chariots.
- How are the Rath Yatra chariots constructed?
- The Rath Yatra chariots are massive structures made of wood and are built anew every year. The chariot for Lord Jagannath is called Nandighosa, Balabhadra’s chariot is called Taladhwaja, and Subhadra’s chariot is called Darpadalan. The construction involves intricate craftsmanship, and the chariots are decorated elaborately.
- Who can participate in pulling the Rath Yatra chariots?
- Devotees from all walks of life, irrespective of caste, creed, or gender, enthusiastically participate in pulling the chariots. It is believed that participating in the Rath Yatra and pulling the chariots brings blessings and spiritual merit. The pulling of the chariots is considered an act of devotion and a way for devotees to participate in the Lord’s journey.
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