Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023: According to the Panchang, Jagannath Rath Yatra is taken out on the second day of Shukla Paksha of Ashadh month and this festival is celebrated with great pomp for the whole 10 days. This year Jagannath Rath Yatra will be conducted on the second date of Shukla Paksha of Ashadh month i.e. 20 June 2023.
During the Rath Yatra, the idols of Lord Jagannath, brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra are taken for a tour of the city in chariots. Hence this festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra and elder brother Balabhadra (Balaram). Lakhs of devotees join the procession in the Rath Yatra and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath. The festival of Jagannath Rath Yatra is celebrated with pomp, especially in Puri, Orissa. But along with this Rath Yatra is also taken out in different cities of the country.
Importance of Jagannath Rath Yatra festival
Jagannath Rath Yatra has special significance in Hinduism. Jagannath is made of a combination of two words. In this Jag means universe and Nath means God. Lord Jagannath is the form of Shri Krishna, who is one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Rath Yatra is also described in Skanda Purana, Narad Purana, Padma Purana and Brahma Purana. It is believed that pulling the chariot during the Jagannath Rath Yatra procession is associated with pure devotion. This destroys such sins of a person, which he has committed knowingly or unknowingly. Along with this, all the sorrows and sufferings of the one who pulls the chariot of God also go away and one gets the fruits of virtue equal to performing hundred yagyas.
Lord Jagannath goes to aunt’s house with brothers and sisters in Rath Yatra
There are many beliefs related to why the Jagannath Rath Yatra is taken out. According to a belief related to this, during the Jagannath Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath rides on a chariot and goes to his aunt’s house in Gundicha. Gundicha temple is considered to be the house of Lord Jagannath’s aunt. Here Lord Jagannath goes with his sister Subhadra and brother Balabhadra and stays for a whole week. Here he is respected a lot and gets pampered by his aunt. It is believed that God eats a lot of dishes at the aunt’s house, due to which she also falls ill. To cure God, he is offered food and only after getting completely healthy, God gives darshan to the devotees. After this Jagannath Rath Yatra is taken out.
Darshan of Lord Jagannath while staying at aunt’s house is called Adap-Darshan. In these days, Mahaprasad of coconut, Malpua, Lai, Gajamung etc. is offered to Jagannath ji. After this the Lord goes back to his home i.e. Jagannath Temple.
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