Everyone knows about Rathyatra Puri Lord Jagannath. One of the most important festivals held in Odisha and all over the world, Jagannath Rath Yatra is annual festival(Car Festival) which celebrated in the month of June and July. It dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his sister Goddess Subhadra and his elder brother Lord Balabhadra.
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| Puri BadaDanda |
Why Car festival(Rathytra) Celebrated?
Every year Rath Yatra is held in Puri. It believed that after Snana Purnima all three deities fall in fever, that's the way they want to take some rest. During the fever time or Anasara Period, the devotees cannot see their Lord. After 15 days, three deities Sit in their Rath and visit his aunt's house(Mausi), Gundicha Temple. That is the Car Festival.
The Rathas have Large wooden wheels which are built a new every year.
The chariot( Ratha) of Lord Jagannath is about 45 feet high and 35 feet broad and takes about two months to construct it. The wheels are about two meters in diameter.
Pulling the Large rope connecting to the rath-chariot is considered as a holy act, and thousands of devotee participate in pulling the chariots, and it will be equal for several religious people.
Best Quality wood from trees like phassi, dhausa, etc. are used for chariot(Ratha) construction. No other wood is allowed.
Lord Jagannatha's chariot is called "Nandighosa", and our Lord identified with Lord Krishna; hence the chariot is marked with yellow with red stripes on the canopy of this chariot which has sixteen wheels, each of seven-foot diameter. Lord Jagannath wears the Traditional Yellow Khandua Pata which was weaved in Odisha Nuapatna. Lord Jagannath Loves the Yellow colour too much.
The chariot of Lord Balarama called the "Taladhwaja", and the Ratha covered with red and Green cloth.
The chariot of Goddess Subhadra, known as "Dwarpadalana"; hence the chariot is covered with black stripes and red. This chariot has twelve wheels.
Thus, Puri Rath Yatra is a such a colourful and devotional festival marked with full happiness and enjoyment. Thousands of people, while pulling the three ratha in BadaDanda, everyone forget their religious and call to Lord Jagannath in full devotional. Everyone tell everyday devotee to go to the temple to visit our Lord universe Jai Jagannath but on the special Ghosa Jatra Lord Jagannath come from the temple to rath to visit their Bhakta.
