Rathyatra is one of the most popular Hindu festivals celebrated in Calcutta in India. It is a colorful festival of chariots or Rath, as it is called in Hindi. The festival features crowd, noise, dance, and music along with small colorful chariots drawn by young children all across the streets in Kolkata. It is believed that Lord Jagannath with his sister Subhadra and brother Balabhadra travels from his house on a chariot to the Garden palace. That is the reason why the chariots of the Lord Jagannath are drawn through the streets. This is a gala event that takes place towards the end of June or beginning of July. The festival is celebrated with great pomp and show in Puri, the coastal city of Orissa. Pulling the chariots of the Lord Jagannath is considered to be greatly auspicious. The 8th day is known as ulta rath, when the deities are said to return to their home at the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
Legends of Rathyatra
The grand festival of Lord Jagannath dates back to the 18th century, sometime during the British period. According to some historians, the Buddhist were first to place the idols on huge chariots and pull them all around the city. There are various legends related to Rathyatra. According to some, Jagananath visits his birthplace and stays there for a week, while others believe that Subhadra visits her parent's home in Dwarka during this time. So, she is accompanied by her brothers, Jagannath and Balabadra.
Puri Rathyatra
Puri Rathyatra is a gala event, which is marked by huge gatherings all along the streets. Every year, three chariots,constructed out of wood are required
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for the grand celebration. The three grand Raths which have been constructed intricately during a last few months, stands in front of the temple of Jagannath in Puri since morning. Artisans, tailors, weavers and painters had been engaged in making the chariots look beautiful and gorgeous. Almost 1200 meters of cloth is used for decorating the chariots. The idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra of Puri temple are placed inside the three chariots. Small chariots, a replica of the original, containing tiny idols are decorated with lights, flowers and colors. Children love to pull them through the streets.
Rathyatra Celebrations
Early in the morning, the ritual of invoking the God, Jagannath or Krisha begins. This is named as Ratha Prathistha. Priest offers prayers and enchants hymns in praise of the God. Pulling the Rath or the chariot is an important and interesting part of the festival, which begins late in the afternoon. Inside each of the chariots, the idols of Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra are placed. The three Raths have an individual name and significance. Nandighosa is the rath of Lord Jagannath, Taladhvaja is the chariot of Ballbhadra and subhadra's chariot is known as Devadalana.
Rathyatra festival is a major attraction for the tourists. It is only during this festival that the deity moves out of the temple. Iskcon organizes a huge event where the grand chariot moves through Deshpriya Park to Girish Park in Kolkata. At the Vaisnav temple, located on the Hazra road, prayers are offered. The day is observed as a public holiday, with school and colleges closed in West Bengal and Orissa. Everyone, be it a poor or rich love to participate in the grand celebrations.
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