Ratha yatra : A Timeless Journey of Faith in Modern Times

India, when the name comes into your mind you imagine a country full of diversity, enriched with the essence of spirituality. Indeed, India is renowned worldwide for its deep spiritual heritage. Many of the world’s prominent religions took birth here, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Pilgrims from all around the world, seeking penance, solace and peace with their inner self reach India, and they almost always, leave India with answers to all their philosophical queries. Sacred sites, temples, ashrams, monasteries, and various religious rituals and ceremonies are the identifying features of India. Every corner of India, from the magnificent Himalayas to the crowded cities bustling with different sounds, has a story to tell about spirituality and the quest for truth. Annually occurring Ganpati festival of Maharashtra, Durga Pujo of West Bengal, Rath Yatra from Odisha are some of the shining examples of Indian spiritual heritage and grandeur.

The Ratha Yatra is one of its own kind, and a very grand celebration by the devotees of Lord Jagannatha.

The Ratha Yatra, is also known as the Chariot Festival, as Ratha is the Sanskrit word for chariot. The Ratha Yatra is a significant religious event celebrated by devotees of Lord Jagannath. This vibrant festival is rooted deep in our past and has not lost its importance or charm in the modern busy times. Every year, millions of people join this celebration and a large fraction of these people is modern youth. Let me showcase to you some fascinating aspects of this Ratha Yatra.

Ratha Yatra and Lord Jagannnatha

Lord Jagannatha, is considered as a form of Lord Krishna who was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, one of the Tridevas, other than Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva.

Lord Jagannatha, is a revered deity in the Vaishnavism tradition of the religion Hinduism, particularly within the Vaishnavism tradition. His most famous temple is in the coastal city of Puri in Indian state Odisha.

Lord Jagannatha is worshipped in this temple along with his brother Lord Balbhadra and his sister Subhadra. The idols of the deities here are quite unique as they are made of wood and are ceremonially replaced at regular intervals. Annually, these idols are taken out on three separate massive Rathas or chariots and a large procession is organised, which is known as the Ratha Yatra. It is one of the most famous and grand religious processions in India.

The legend of wooden idols

There are many legends about why these idols are made of wood, and why are they made like this. According to a legend, there was a King named Indradyumna in Odisha who was a devout follower of Lord Vishnu. One night, he dreamt about building a temple for the Lord Jagannath. But, there was a problem that he could not be sure about how to create the idols. Lord Brahma visited him in his dream and advised that he should seek guidance from Lord Vishnu himself.

After this, as per the dream, Lord Vishnu appeared before King Indradyumna and instructed him to go into the forest of Bankamuhana and look for a log of wood there. The king did as he was instructed and found the log. Now, there was a new problem as there was no one who could carve the idols. Even the greatest craftsmen were not able to do so as their tools would break off when they tried to carve the idols. Lord Vishwakarma, who is known as the divine architect, disguised himself as an artist named Ananta Maharana and agreed to make the idols, but with the condition that he will carve the idols inside the cave and the cave will be sealed shut. No one will enter the cave, peep into the cave and no one should disturb him. The king agreed, and the craftsman started to build the idols in the sealed cave. Dats, weeks, months and years passed, but the craftsman did not come out. The king became restless and out of his curiosity, got the cave opened. A great surprise awaited him as there was no one inside the cave, and only the three unfinished idols of Jagannatha, Balabhadra, and Subhadra were found. The idols had unfinished limbs, square heads and big eyes. The king became worried but Lord Brahma visited him and told him that the Lord is happy with idols as they are. So, the king believed they were divine and installed them in the temple, which is known as Jagannath Puri temple.

The Ratha Yatra

The Ratha Yatra dates back to ancient times, as its references can be found in the ancient scriptures and historical texts. This Ratha Yatra is a symbol of the journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, from the temple in Puri, Odisha to the Gundicha Temple, which is considered to be the abode of their aunt. This yatra embodies the themes of homecoming, unity, and devotion. The Ratha Yatra festival is also a shining example of communal harmony, as people from different walks of life come together to pull the chariots and celebrate.

It is believed that the festival was initiated in order to allow devotees who couldn't enter the temple to have a glimpse of the deities. Now, with the passage of time, the Ratha Yatra is being celebrated in other parts of India and the world, with certain adaptations and modifications according to local traditions and cultures.

Ratha Yatra is a religious celebration, so it has its own rituals. It starts with the Snana Purnima when the deities are bathed in a grand ceremony. Then, the deities are kept away from the public view for a period , i.e. Anavasara which symbolises the recovery from the bathing ritual. After this, the chariots are consecrated and prepared for the journey, which is known as Rath Pratistha.The deities are carried out of the temple in a grand procession and placed on the chariots. This process is known as Pahandi Bije. Now, the devotees pull the chariots through the streets. Spiritual chants, music and dance are a part of this procession named Ratha Yatra. The deities stay at the Gundicha Temple for a while and then they return to the Jagannath Temple, their home. This is named Bahuda Yatra and it marks the conclusion of the festival.

Ratha Yatra might be an ancient tradition but it holds meaning in the contemporary times, even. It is the manifestation of enduring faith and cultural heritage which is far above the boundaries set by religions and communities. It is an occasion for social gatherings, cultural performances, and charitable activities. It serves as a reminder of the timeless values of compassion, togetherness, and spirituality. The rath yatra is not a mere procession, it is a spiritual phenomenon. Hope this information was able to interest you and make you seek for your spiritual inner self and peace.

The Bhagwat Gita classes by Bambinos can also help you and your kids in this spiritual quest, in a fun and interactive way.

Shape Your Kid's Future with Bambinos Classes | World’s first Bhagavad Gita course for Kids | Click here to Book a Free Class Limited time offer.

Article Author

Srijita Banerjee

Srijita Banerjee is a freelance writer and an enthusiastic educator who loves connecting with children and helps them out to Groom Well. Srijita imbibes profound love for English and is a torch bearer. Strong believer and highly optimistic. Hardwork and dedication drives Srijita to work relentlessly towards best.

Discover a wonder-filled world of children's activities near you! Check our online classes.