Ratha Yatra is the best Yatra among the thirteen festivals in the twelve months of Lord Shree Jagannath. This festival is called Ghosayatra, Gundichaayatra or Nabadinatmaka Yatra.
The construction of chariots starts on the third day of Baisakh (an odia calendar month), Suklapakhya or on the Akshay Tritiya. Sala, Asan, Fasi, Simili, Dhaura, Tal and Neem wood are used for making chariots. Bhoi, Maharana, Kamar, Karti, Rupkar, Tailor and experienced builders are responsible for making this chariot.
Making of Ratha or Chariot
According to tradition, the woods for chariots come to the Jagannath Dham before Saraswati Puja. Three pieces of wood are worshipped on the day of Saraswati Puja. The procession of chariots begins from Ramnavami and on the Akshay Tritiya, the construction of the chariots begins.
Before the chariot starts, orders come from the temple for this work of the Lord. From that day onwards, the Lord travelled in Chandan Yatra to relieve stress. In this, the Chalanti Pratima (moving idol) of the Lord is worshipped by Madanmohan.
Three Pooja Pandas bring the Agnyamala (garlands) from Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Lord Subhadra and offer them to the Maharana of the three chariots. After the Puja Bidhi, the Rathakhala (making of chariots) begins. A coconut is broken on the wood with the Veda mantra and a new axe is cut. Then the work of making the chariot begins.
Ratha Yatra Festival
After the completion of the construction of the chariots, the three chariots are brought to the Singhadwara (The Lion Gate) and lined up for upcoming rituals of the Ratha Yatra. On the morning of Srigundicha or Ratha Yatra, the chariot is pure by the temple priest.
Then Mangala Arati starts first. After the Milam, Chadhaplagi, Roshhom, Avkasha, Surya puja, Dwarapala puja, Sakala Dhuapa and Mangalarpana (these are the types of Puja), then Pahandi begins. This journey takes place on the third day of the month Asadha of Sukllapakhya. First Sudarshan, then Balabhadra, Subhadra and finally Shree Jagannath come on Pahandi and sit in the chariot. Tahiya is the crown of flowers worn by the three Lords while Pahandi. This Tahiya is given by Raghav Das Matha on Ratha Yatra.
Pahandi Bije Ritual
The body of the Gods is tied with a rope during Pahandi Bije. Daieta, Suar, Poojapanda, and Puspalaka come waving Sudarshan, Subhadra, Balabhadra and finally Jagannath. The sight of this time awakens devotion in the minds of thousands of devotees. This is one of the famous events done on Ratha Yatra. Maa Subhadra is placed in a chariot by the servants. According to Balabhadra, Ramakrishna and Shree Jagannath ride Madanmohan.
Cherapanhanra Ritual
Then, following the invitation of the Gajapati of Puri, he came to Palinki and swam in three chariots in Suna Khadika (gold sweeper).
Installation of Horses
After the king returns, the Charamala is untied from the front of the chariot. Four horses are tied to each chariot. The colour of the horse of Sree Balabhadra’s chariot is black. Their names are Tibra, Ghora, Dirghasrama and Swarnanava. Similarly, four white horses are mounted in the chariot of Shree Jagannath. Their names are Shankha, Bahalaka, Shweta and Haridashwa. Rochika, Mochika, Jita and Aparajita are tied to Maa Subhadra’s chariot. The colour of these horses is red.
4 thick ropes are tied to each chariot. After the Dahuka sings the song, Balabhadra’s chariot is pulled first. All chariots are pulled with the tunes of Ghanta, Mrudanga, Haribola and Hulahuli. Then the time for Subhadra’s chariot and finally Sree Jagannath’s chariot is pulled.
Shree Gundicha Jatra
After all the chariots reach Shree Gundicha Temple, the Pahandi again starts, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshan and finally Lord Jagannath enters Shree Gundicha Temple. After staying there for 9 days, returns to Shree Mandira or Jagannath Temple on Bahuda Jatra. On these 9 days, the Lord is adorned in ten incarnations.
Bahuda Ratha Yatra
On the 5th day of the Ratha Yatra, Hera Pakhmi is observed. On this day Maa Lakshmi comes out of Shree Mandir and goes to Gundicha temple. But Maa Lakshmi returned in anger without entering the Gundicha temple and broke a part of the chariot.
On the 10th day of Asadha Suklapakhya, the Lord again sits on the chariot and returns to Shree Mandira (Jagannath Temple) on the Bahuda journey. On the way back, they eat Podapitha from the Mausima Temple.
Sunabesa during Ratha Yatra
On the time of Akadasi (the day after Bahuda Jatra), the Sunabesa festival was observed in the chariot. On the 12th day, the Pahandi starts again and the three Lords come to Ratnnasinghasana of Shree Mandir. Lakshmi and Jagannath’s quarrel ceremony is celebrated in the doorway of Jagannath Temple.
Chariots of Ratha Yatra
Taladwaja chariot of Shree Balabhadra given by Gods in palm forest. The height of Sree Balabhadra’s chariot is 13.2 meters or 32 hands 10 fingers or 45 feet. The chariot is Made of 763 pieces of wood. The chariot has fourteen wheels. The wheels of which are 64 feet in diameter.
Nandighos chariot of Shree Jagannath was given by Lord Indra. The height of Sree Jagannath’s chariot is 13.5 meters or 33 hands and 5 fingers. The chariot is Made of 832 pieces of wood. The chariot has sixteen wheels.
Subhadra’s chariot was given by Lord Darpadalana. The height of Maa Subhadra’s chariot is 12.9 meters or 44 feet and 6 inches. The chariot has twelve wheels.
Taladwaja: The Chariot of Shree Balabhadra
Ratha Rakhyaka – Basudeba.
Ayudha – Hala and Musak.
Bhadrapithha – Astadala Padma.
Ratha Muddhnni God – Naga.
Ratha Parswa Debata (chariot side deity) – Pranamari, Gadantarakaree Harihara, Tayeemula, Basudeba, Natambar Aghora, Tripurari Siba.
Name of Sarathi – Malati.
Ratha Rakhyaka (chariot defender) – Bhaskar.
Ratha Ashwa (chariot of horses) – Tibra, Ghora, Dirghasrama and Swarnanava of the colour black.
Ratha Rajju – Basuki.
Ratha Mudhnni – Ketubhadra.
Chara Debata – Bramha, Saiba.
Ratha Bhayiraba – Kshyetrapala.
Ratha Gandharba – Huu Huu.
Ratha Charan – Mahasidhha, Ulomi, Garbhadhiswari.
Shakti – Tunga, Tungabhadra, Prabha, Suprabha, Dhatri, Bidhatri, Nanda, Sunanda.
Roosipatare – Angira, Polastya, Pullah, Agasti, Krushna, Madugal, Atreya, Kashyap.
Name of Ratha Kumbhara – Bhubana, Bimba, Pruthibi, Chakrayudha, Hun Bija.
Dwarapalaka (door guard) – Satyaki and Astabasu.
Netara Nama (chariot flag) – Unnani.
The chariot is covered with red and green cloth.
Ratha Sarathi (charioteer) – Matali.
Chariots two sides – Nanda and Sunanda.
Rathara Prustadesare (On the back of the chariot) – Chanadarupa and Chanada.
Ratha Sua ( chariots parrot) – Sradha and Biswas.
The area at the foot of the chariot is 34 square feet.
Nandighos: The Chariot of Shree Jagannath
Ratha Rakhyaka – Garuda.
Dijadhipati (owner of the chariot flag) – Hanuman.
Ayudha – Chandra and Sankha.
Bhadrapithha – Astadala Padma.
Ratha Muddhnni God – Kalyan Sundar.
Shakti (power) – Bimala and Biraja.
Ratha Parswa Debata (chariot side deity) – Hanuman, Rama, Lakshman, Narayan, Krushna, Gobardhan Dharan, Chintamani, Raghab and Nrusingha.
Ratha Rakhyaka (chariot defender) – Bhaskar.
Ratha Ashwa (chariot of horses) – Shankha, Bahalaka, Shweta and Haridashwa of the colour white.
Ratha Rajju – Sankhachudi named Naguni.
Ratha Mudhnni – Nandamukha.
Ratha Debi (chariot goddess) – Yogamaya.
Utkarnniya – Kriya, Yogi, Agnya, Anugnya, Pragnya and Medha
Roosipatare – Narad, Debanda Byasa, Suka, Parasara, Basista, Biswamitra, Randhra Astaroosi.
Name of Ratha Kumbhara – Hirnmaya.
Dwarapalaka (door guard) – Jay and Bijay.
Netara Nama (chariot flag) – Trailokya Mohini.
The chariot is covered with red and yellow cloth.
Ratha Sarathi (charioteer) – Daruka.
The area at the foot of the chariot is 35 square feet.
Darpadalan: The Chariot of Maa Subhadra
Ratha Rakhyaka – Jaya Durga.
Dijadhipati (owner of the chariot flag) – Tripura Sundari.
Ayudha – Padmakahara.
Ratha Abarana – Blue and Red.
Ratha Parswa Debata (chariot side deity) – Bimala, Chamunda, Bhadrakali, Harachandika, Mangala, Barahi, Kartayinee, Jaydurga and Kali.
Ratha Sarathi (charioteer) – Arjun and Bana Durga.
Ratha Rakhyaka (chariot defender) – Bhagnna Chanda.
Ratha Ashwa (chariot of horses) – Ratha Sarathi (charioteer) – Daruka. of the colour red.
Ratha Rajju – Swarnnachuda.
Ratha Mudhnni – Brahmabartta.
Ratha Debi (chariot goddess) – Shree Bhu.
Ratha Gandharba – Haa Haa.
Ratha Charana – Mahakara.
Ratha Yakhya – Kaonjolika.
Adhiswari – Shaktisapta, Jaya, Bijaya, Ghora, Aghora, Sukhsyma, Gnyani.
Roosipatare – Bhrugu, Suprabha, Bajra, Srunga, Dhruta, Ulluka.
Name of Ratha Kumbhara – Amruta, Jiba, Kaya.
Dwarapalaka (door guard) – Bhubaneswari, Chakraganga, Yamuna.
Netara Nama (chariot flag) – Nadambika.
Ratha Yatra Images
You can also read this: Ratha Yatra from the official website.
