Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of the significant festivals in India which is celebrated and organized every year at the Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha. The festival is dedicated to the Lord Jagannath and the Hindu community from all over the world celebrates this day. The Rath Yatra is also known as Car Festival or Chariot Festival. Puri Rath Yatra is the oldest Rath Yatra which has descriptions in Padma Purana, Brahma Purana, Skanda Purana, and Kapila Samhita. This festival is celebrated every year on Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya (2nd day in the bright fortnight of Ashadha month). The festival commemorates Jagannath’s annual visit to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple near Saradha Bali, Puri. Check crucial information about Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022 has been provided.
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Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2022 Date
The Puri Rath Yatra or Jagannath Rath Yatra is celebrated annually on the 2nd day of Shukla Paksha of Ashadha as per the Hindu Calendar. It is generally observed in the month of June or July as per the Gregorian calendar. The Jagannath Yatra will be celebrated on 1st July 2022. The state government of Odisha observed this day as a gazetted holiday.
Puri Rath Yatra Celebration 2022
The word ‘Jagannath’ represents the Lord of the Universe. The Load Jagannath Temple is believed to as one of the Char Dham pilgrimages as per the Hindu faith where Hindu wants to visit at least once in a lifetime. Tourists, Devotees, and Pilgrims from all over the world visit Puri to witness the holy Rath Yatra. During the Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath’s brother and sister namely Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are also worshipped. All three deities i.e. Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are worshiped in the famous Jagannath Temple and devotees take out their respective Rath or chariots on the streets of Puri to celebrate this day.
Rituals of Puri Chariot Yatra
Pahandi: It is a ritual where chariots of deities are taken from the Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple. Gundicha is considered a true devotee of Lord Krishna and all three deities are taken to Gundicha to show their devotion to Lord Krishna. First, the idol of Lord Balabhadra is taken out then the idol of Subhadra, and then the Idol of Lord Jagannath.
Chhera Pahara: This ritual is celebrated on the first day of Yatra. As per this ritual, everyone is equal in the eyes of the Lord. The Gajapati King wears the uniform of a sweeper and cleans chariots and surroundings with a gold-handled broom, sandalwood water, and with great devotion, to perform this ritual. It is two days of practice, where it is performed on day one during deities are taken to Gundicha temple and the second time when deities return to the Jagannath Temple. There is a ceremonial bath at Gundhicha temple on the arrival of three deities and then they are dressed in boirani cloth.
Hera Panchami
Hera Panchami is a ritual performed on day five of the Rath Yatra. It is a ritual of Goddess Lakshmi. It is celebrated on the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi in search of Lord Jagannath. The Lord Jagannath along with his brother Sri Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra comes out on a divine outing or Rath Yatra, leaving Mahalaxmi. In search of Lord Jagannath, Mahalakshmi comes out and expresses anger for the Lord. Mahalakshmi threatens Lord Jagannath to return to the temple. Thereafter, Lord Jagannath offers a garland of consent to the Mahalakshmi to please her. Mahalakshmi returns to the main temple via Nakachana gate. After some time, she escapes to her home temple in secrecy via a separate path which is known as Hera Gohri Lane. Lakhs of devotees of Lord Jagannath take part in this ritual.
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022: Astrological Significance
In Hindu mythology, it is believed that the Puri Rath Yatra is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, who is known as one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. It has the utmost religious significance being one of the important pilgrimages of Hindus. Devotees from all over the world, take part in the Puri Rath Yatra to witness the holy festival. As per the Hindu belief, it is a saying that if a person participates in Rath Yatra with full devotion would be free from the birth and death cycle. Participation in Jagannath Rath Yatra is very auspicious. The chariots used in the Yatra are prepared and designed with special kinds of wood as per religious belief. All the idols of deities are also prepared of wood and changed every 12 years. The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a symbol of equality.
We wish all of you a happy Jagannath Rath Yatra and May Lord Vishnu Bless you all.