Ratha Yatra Festival

🔶 A Glimpse into Jagannath Ratha Yatra 2024 

The Rath Yatra celebration is an exuberant chariot festival dedicated to Lord Jagannatha, his elder brother Lord Baldeva, and his sister Devi Subhadra. During the procession in Rath Yatra Jaipur, Lord Jagannath graciously comes out of the temple to bless those who are unable to visit for His darshan. This year, continuing the tradition, the Gupt Vrindavan Dham will celebrate this divine event on July 8th. Don’t miss the chance to witness it!

🔶 History of the Magnificent Chariot Festival in Jaipur 

The Ratha Yatra Festival has been organized in Pink City by the Gupt Vrindavan Dham for over a decade. The grand and magnificent chariot festival of Lord Jagannatha, accompanied by Lord Baladeva and Devi Subhadra, is paraded through the city streets. The magnificent procession is accompanied by brilliant lighting, melodious and exuberant kirtans with all devotees dancing throughout the way to please the Lord. Fulfilling the significance of Rath Yatra everyone along the way has the opportunity to have a beautiful darshan, offer flowers, participate in the procession and receive the blessed mahaprasadam of Lord Jagannatha.

🔶 Timings and Path for 2024 Procession 

This year's splendid Rath Yatra celebration is set for July 8th. The Jagannath Rath Yatra will begin at Jaipur Hotel near Collectorate Circle, pass through MI Road, and conclude at the Shiv Satsang Bhawan. The procession will take approximately 3 hours and will end with a Prasad dinner for all attendees.

🔶 Unique Features of the Rath 

For this remarkable occasion, a stunning rath (chariot) is meticulously constructed and adorned with distinctive flowers and brilliant lights. The rath, topped with an elevated canopy, is visible from afar, drawing in devotees. Within the chariot, the divine deities of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva, and Devi Subhadra are seated centrally under the canopy dome. The rath, mounted on four massive wheels, is pulled by enthusiastic devotees using ropes. The procession commences with a humble aarti (devotional worship) offered to the Lord.

 

🔶 The Sacred Story of Lord Jagannatha's Appearance

The history of the appearance of Lord Jagannatha is a story of devotion. The ancient Vedic literature describes the world ruled by emperor of Avantipura, King Indradyumna. One day as Indradyumna lamented that he was not able to serve God directly, a pilgrim suddenly appeared. This man revealed how he had actually seen the Lord accept direct loving service in His Deity form of Nila Madhava. The King immediately dispatched his chief brahminical priest, Vidyapati, to find this Deity.

After a month's journey without rest, Vidyapati found Mount Niladri, and met Vishvavasu, who had been worshiping the Lord in great secrecy. Knowing the prayers of Indradyumna, Nila Madhava spoke to Vishvavasu and revealed His intention of accepting more opulent worship according the desires of Indradyumna. Then Jagannatha appeared in a dream of the emperor and guided to a great log floating in the ocean. Further a mysterious old brahmana agreed to carve the Deity of the Lord. But it had to be done on his own terms: complete isolation for three weeks. Gates were locked and the beat of the chisel resounded for days.

After only two weeks however, it stopped and Indradyumna worried. The King wrenched open the doors. The Lord's form was apparently unfinished having no hands or feet, and the Emperor feared he had made a great mistake in opening the doors too early. The descendant of the Vishvavasu said, "Whatever happens is by the Lord's will. You acted out of love so there can be no wrong." And the chief priest said that the Deity of Jagannatha, along with His brother, Baladeva, and sister, Subhadra, should be painted and dressed and prepared for the installation ceremony by Lord Brahma.

Narada Muni then described how he had seen this form before, while visiting Dvaraka. At that time, the Lord's Vrindavan pastimes were being discussed, and the Lord overheard the conversation and felt loving separation for His devotees. He went into a trance and His eyes opened wide, His feet and hands retracted into His body. Sharing in this transcendental exchange, Krishna's sister and brother were similarly transformed.

🔶 Srila Prabhupada, Who Took Ratha Yatra Worldwide 🌏

As a child, Srila Prabhupada celebrated an eight-day Rath Yatra Festival with his playmates. With the help of his father, he obtained a three-foot-high cart that closely resembled the ones used in Puri. He carefully replicated the adult religious functions he had observed, including dressing the deities, offering food, performing arati with a ghee lamp and incense, and making prostrated obeisances. For over 5,000 years, the Rath Yatra festival has been observed in India by millions of pilgrims. In 1967, Srila Prabhupada brought this transcendental festival to the West. Today, the Rath Yatra festival is celebrated every summer in over 200 cities all over the world.

🔶 Significance of Rath Yatra: Why is it Celebrated?

Regarding the significance of Rath Yatra, Srila Prabhupada explains that once on an auspicious day, Lord Krishna started from Dwaraka and visited Kurukshetra with His elder brother Balarama and younger sister Subhadra on a chariot. Having received the news of Lord Krishna’s visit, the gopis and other inhabitants of Vrindavana came there to meet Him. Looking at Krishna in a royal dress, Srimati Radharani implored Him to come to Vrindavana, where they had spent their early days, performing pastimes in the forests. In commemoration of this grand visit of the Lord with His family, devotees pull a rath carrying Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi.

🔶 What are the various names used for chariots?

There are different names and features of the three chariots used in Rath Yatra at Puri. Lord Jagannatha's Chariot is known as Nandighosa, the Chariot of Lord Balabhadra is called Taladwhaja, and the Chariot of Devi Subhadra is known as Darpadalana.

🌿 Ways to Support Ratha Yatra 2024 🌿

The Gupt Vrindavan Dham ardently invites everyone to participate in the Rath Yatra Festival by presenting your devotion to Lord Jagannath with humble offerings of fruits, flowers, garlands, and gifts.

The Ratha Yatra festival offers an exclusive opportunity to receive abundant blessings from the generous Lord Jagannatha. we cordially invite you to join in the celebrations. By supporting through the Jagannatha Rath Yatra Seva donations, you help enhance the experience for all attendees. Your generous contributions during this opportune event will bring joy and prosperity into your life.