The Rathayatra often falls in the summer season of May-June each year and Puri becomes a vibrant scene of crowd attraction during the festival. Perhaps a million plus gather to witness the tumultuous event. This is one of the ancient festivals in Bharatam and a place of huge crowd attractions like the Kumbha-mela, Makara-sankranti, and Pongal festivals. The Rathayatra festivities are organised and financed mainly by the Government of Orissa. As said, during the Rathayatra, the three Deities are sailed out for public view from the temple seated on huge chariots (Ratha) moved on wheels and pulled by large crowds. New carts are constructed from fresh wood each year and the construction begins a couple of months ahead of the festival and precisely on the third day of the bright fortnight of Vishakha (April-May). The three carts are manufactured using over 1000 logs (around 400 cubic metres) of wood collected mainly from the forest on the banks of River Mahanadi. Approximately 1200 metres of cloth is consumed annually and 14-16 tailors stitch covers to suit the Rathas. The nails, brackets and fixtures are supplied by local manufacturers. The main structure of the Ratha consists of 18 pillars and roofs. The carts carrying the canopies may reach 14-16 metres tall and brilliantly painted. The colour of the chariots identifies the Deity it carries. Red and yellow are preferred for Jagannatha, red and green for Lord Balarama, and red and black for Subhadra. The preferred colours of the Deities are black for Jagannatha, white for Balarama, and yellow for Subhadra. The cart of Jagannatha is called Candradhvaja or Nandighosha (blissful sound vibrations) and it is supported on 18 wheels and stretches approximately 45 feet tall and weighs 60 – 70 tons and painted yellow. Four white wooden horses draw the chariot and the crest of the Ratha is marked with an emblem of Garuda symbolising the Lord’s celestial carrier. In addition, a chakra also symbolises to distinguish the cart. The blue Ratha of Lord Balarama is called Taladhvaja (strong sounds) with 16 wheels and it is approximately 44 feet tall and drawn by four dark wooden horses and carries the emblem of Hanuman atop. The black cart of Subhadra is called Padmadhvaja or Darpadalan (annihilator of pride) is supported on 14 wheels and approximately 43 feet tall and drawn by four red wooden horses. Each wheel is said to be approximately two metres in diameter. The Deity protecting Jagannatha is said to be Narasimha, that of Balarama is Shesa, and of Subhadra is Vanadurga. On each Ratha are seated many wooden Deities such as one parshva-devatas (close associates of the Divinity), two dvara-palakas (door keepers), one sarathi (chariot driver), and one dhvaja devata (presiding Deity). The Rathas are decorated with flowers as well.
The Deities are bathed in public two weeks before the festival and it is called Snana-yatra. Special offerings are made to the Deities thereafter on specific locations. At the beginning of the Rathayatra, the priests arrive at the cart and sprinkle holy water walking around it three times and chant the holy Vedic hymns. Then the priests bring the small Deities that move with the carts. The Sudarshana-chakra will be first moved to Subhadra’s cart. Then the three main Deities are brought out in order as Lord Balarama first, Goddess Subhadra next, and then Lord Jagannatha. Many musical troupes blow horns and cymbals and beat drums at the main gate to invite the Deities. The Deities are moved with the heads covered on clothes and when They arrive at the carts, the coverings are removed. Massive crowd will be drawn in to witness the occasion and they chant “Hail Thee” of the names of the respective Divinities and sing Their glories when the Deities are moved out. Then the Deities are beautifully decorated and worshipped paying floral tributes.
To accommodate the three huge chariots built like a temple sanctuary, the street from the Puri temple to the garden temple is made very wide. Various colourfully decorated temples, saintly ashrams, hotels, shops, and large ancient aristocratic buildings are seen on either sides of the parade road. Well dressed up women flock up atop the buildings and balconies to witness the Rathayatra.
The Deity of Balarama is 5 feet and five inches tall, Goddess Subhadra is a bit short of 5 feet, and Jagannatha is 5 feet seven inches erect. The Deities are identified by special signs and marks as well. Around 50 – 80 strong men are engaged to carry the Deities and the carriers are said to be from the lineage of Visvavasu. The Deities are moved from the temple to the Chariot in the order of Balarama first, Subhadra second, and Jagannatha last. Usually, the King of Puri sweeps the cart floor with a broom made of golden handle accompanied by his accomplices and move around the chariot sprinkling scented holy water followed by priests, and it happens in the morning. Then the wooden stools are removed and the wooden horses are mounted in the direction of the journey. Nearly 4000 devotees gather to pull the chariots with long ropes made of coconut fibre (eight inches in diameter) through the main roads. Blowing a long whistle by the captains of the procession, the Rathayatra begins. Music bands blow horns, cymbals and other instruments along with various drums. Massive crowd witness the grand procession watching from both sides of the street and from balconies and rooftops. Loud shouts of jai jai Jagannatha shrill the atmosphere and the parading men raise their hands and dance in joy. The Rathayatra (chariot parade) starts in the morning and stops at noon for food offerings near the Jagannatha Vallabha Gardens. Group sankirtanas (congregational chanting) are organised to glorify the Lord and chant the holy names, and numerous devotees gather to worship the Divinities. The priests bath the Deities in pancamrta and cool water, and offer naivedyam and artris. Then, the chariots are drawn to the Gundicha (named after the wife of King Indradyumna) temple located at Sundaracala hill (beautiful hill) about a couple of miles away from the Jagannatha’s abode. Then, arti is offered and the Deities are taken in the sanctum of the Gundicha temple, where they rest for a week. After they reach, a feast of Krshna-prasadam will be served to all participants.
The Gundicha temple is called Mahisi-badi (the home of Jagannatha’s aunt). The Jagannatha Puri Guid Book by mahanidhi Swami tells a Puranic verse to extol Gundicha,
gundica mandapam yanti ye pasyanti rathe sthitam
krshna-ramau subhadram ca te yanti bhavanam hareh
ye pashyanti tada krshnam saptaham mandape sthitam
halinam ca subhadram ca vishnulokm vrajani te
“Whoever comes to Gundicha temple during rathayatra and sees Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra will have his mind turned towards Lord Hari. If he sees the Deities while They remain there for seven days on the throne of Gundicha, he will go to Vaikuntha.”
The ceremonies at Gundicha will not be elaborate as was in the main temple. Various celebrations are organised during the brief stay of the Divinities in the garden temple. It is presumed that on the 5th day (Hera-pancami) of lunar fortnight, Laksmi will be out searching for Jagannatha accompanied by Lord Shiva and her maid servants. Seeing her arrival, the servants of Jagannatha closes the gate the Gundicha-mandiram and the door of the bhoga- shala. Lakshmi gets wild and breaks Jagannatha’s Ratha. Frustrated Lakshmi waits long and then dines there and returns to the Puri temple.
On the ninth day of the lunar fortnight, the return Rathayatra begins and it is called Bahuda-yatra. Lakshmi and her servants arrive to invite Jagannatha and the Lord removes His garland and adores her. While returning, the chariot of Jagannatha stops at Ardhasani temple (Mausa Ma temple) and the poda pitha (rice cake) will be offered to the Lord. The return journey starts in the morning from Gundicha and reaches at the main temple by the evening. The return journey will be similar to the onward with all pomp and glory, and Lord Jagannatha and associates are brought back to Puri after a trip of seven days. Sometimes the departure will be delayed and may continue to stay at the garden temple for more than a week based on the lunar calendar. The departure from the Gundicha temple is a replica of events from Puri. The return journey is not popular as the onward and only a lean crowd will witness the procession.
The process may not be trouble free always. Sometimes mishaps may happen such as running off road, ramming on embankments, or abrupt stoppage of carts on the way. If the carts can’t be rescued in time, the leaders and priests pray to Lord Jagannatha and then astonishingly the carts start moving freely as before. It someone is caught in the crowd in front of the procession, it may need a stupendous effort to squeeze through and give way for the carts, and in the struggle may be stampeded as well. Sometimes, the procession will be delayed due to stoppages in between. All through the procession, rumbling of large cart wheels mix with loud chants and roar of joy laud the ears.
Reaching Puri, the Deities will be out in the open for public view and offer their respects. A huge crowd again throng up to witness Jagannatha and His compatriots. On the third day, a suna-vesa festival is organised and Deities are adorned on gold including all their ornaments and outfits. It is said that around 800 – 1000 kilos of pure gold are used for this event. Except the close servants of Jagannatha, others are disallowed to witness the suna- vesa event at close ranges. The adorned Deities with the yellow metal will be then open for a day to the public for close viewing and a controlled crowd will line up and witness the majestic Deities. Close to sunset, the Deities will be carried back to the Puri temple and the retreat events follow that of the ejection from the temple, marking the end of the glorious annual Rathayatra festival.
History of Jagannatha Puri :
Jagannatha Puri, located on the eastern coast of Bharatam (India) in the state of Orissa (originally called Utkala or Udradesh), is a prime pilgrim centre in South Asia. The four famous param-tirthas (primary pilgrim centres known as Chardham) in Bharatam are Bhadrinath established in sattyayuga, Ramesvaram in tretayuga, Dvaraka in dvaparayuga, and Jagannath Puri in kaliyuga. The Puranas mention that the ancient Puri temple extends up to 10 yojanas (approximately 120 kilometres in diameter) and it was manifested from the ocean and covered by sand and at the middle of the sandy beach is the blue mountain. Although Jagannath Puri, originally called Purushottama Kshetra, was founded in sattyayuga by King Indradyumna as the Narada Purana
(uttara-bhaga chapters 52 and 57) mentions, it became famous only in this age with the installation of the kaliyuga Deities of the Supreme Lord Krshna along with Balarama and Subhadra in its sanctum sanctorum. The Scriptures say that only pious people are eligible to visit Puri and meeting Jagannatha will wash off their sins in the past lives and lead them to liberation from the fetters of endless miserable life in this karma-bhumi.
Lord Jagannatha (Lord of the universe) represents Lord Krshna residing at the middle of the mammoth temple complex of Puri. According to the Mahapuranas, the coronation of the deity carved out from wood by Visvakarma was performed by Lord Brahma in sattyayuga. Lord Jagannatha told Indradyumna that He originally appeared in the first manvantra of Svayambhuva Manu approximately 1700 million years ago based on Vedic calculations. In memory of the installation of the holy Deity, the snana-yatra (pubic bathing) ceremonies carrying Jagannatha on a huge ratha (chariot) are held annually at Puri and the first of its kind was celebrated in the second manvantra of Svarochisha Manu. From then, the festival became famous as Rathayatra. An episode in the uttara kanda (108.30) of Valmiki Ramayana reveals that just before Lord Rama’s departure, He advised King Vibhishana of Lanka to worship Lord Jagannatha, the Lord of the Iksvaku (a son of Vaivasvata, the current Mau) dynasty in which Lord Ramachandra appeared. The Rathayatra festivities are held annually in the month of Ashadha (May-June) on the day of the Pushyami star as the Skanda Purana tells. The story of the Purushottama Kshetra is also told in the Padma Purana as Sanatana Goswami mentions it in the Dig Darshini Tika of his Brhad Bhagavatamrta (2.1.159). The Deity of Jagannatha is said to be perfectly spiritual, though originally made of wood, in which Lord Caitanya (an incarnation of Lord Krshna) merged and disappeared from this world around 500 years ago after enacting His pristine pastimes and enlightening this mortal world as the Caitanya Caritamrta reveals.
About 500 years ago, Caitanya Mahaprabhu (an incarnation of Lord Krshna) remained at Jagannatha Puri and danced always in the Rathayatra festival. Nityananda Prabhu (an incarnation of Lord Balarama) always joined Lord Caitanya in the procession together with several of their associates. Lord Caitanya was present at Jagannath Puri for 18 years and finally He was said to have entered in the Jagannatha temple and disappeared.
Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=9677
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