Rath yatra at Puri
The ongoing rath yatra at Puri in Orissa is a grand fair,let me give you a peek into it.
Puri,the holy city of Orissa is famous for the 12th century magnificent temple devoted to Lord Jagganath who is considered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.Several deities are payed obeisance to in this temple where only hindus are allowed entry.The deities are-Lord Jagganath,Lord Balbhadra and Goddess Subhadra.
The deities are every year during the month of June-july taken out of the main temple in a procession to their respective chariots and taken for residing at the Gundicha temple for nine days when they return back again in a procession to the main temple.
The ocassion is a grand affair where scores of devotees throng the temple premises to take part in the procession and pull the ropes attached to the chariots to attain emancipation from the cycle of birth and death as envisaged in the religious scriptures.First of all the celestial wheel or Sudarshan is carried and placed in Subhadra's chariot followed by the placing of the deities of Subhadra,Balbhadra and Lord Jagganatha respectively in their chariots.The king of the area offers prayers to the deities followed by the pulling of the chariots by the people who throng the place for the occassion known as Bada Danda.The chariots are every year made from wood engaging several artisans and the idols are made of wood too but they are replaced with new ones only once in 12 years.The chariot of Lord Jagganath is the biggest having 18 wheels followed by that of Balbhadra and Subhadra having 16 and 14 wheels respectively.
It is believed that a glimpse of the deities and even touching the ropes of the chariots grant people the benifits of several thousand pious deeds.So there is a huge crowd for which security arrangements are done by the state government.The deities are then again returned back to their abode amidst the grand procession.
The rath yatra has started in Puri and if you really want to have an heavenly experience do visit Puri and take part in the festivities.
Similar Rath Yathra, I have seen and enjoyed in Phulbani, a place in Kandmal district of Orissa on 14th July.