HISTORY OF RATHYATRA

Every year, during the month of June/July, three divine idols are carried in procession in huge, beautifully decorated wooden chariots pulled by a great number of enthusiastic devotees falling over each other to get a chance to serve the deities. All of this makes for a unique sight and forms the core of the Ratha Yatra or Chariot festival, one of the most sacred Indian occassions. Mainly a Hindu festival, Ratha Yatra transcends all religious boundaries and is not only celebrated by devout Hindus but also draws Muslims, Buddhists and members from many other communities. Know all about the history of the wonderful occassion called Ratha Yatra.

The word “Ratha” stands for “chariot” and “Yatra” signifies “journey”. Literally taken, Ratha Yatra means “chariot-ride”. A major Hindu festival, Ratha Yatra is annually observed all over India. The festival, however, originated in Jagannath Puri on the eastern coast of the state of Orissa, India. Rathyatra is still celebrated here during the months of June or July (Rainy Season). The festival is associated with Lord Jagannath or Lord Krishna and commemorates his annual journey to his aunt’s residence along with his brother and sister.
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THE CHARIOTS

The three chariots of Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannatha are newly constructed every year with wood of specified trees like phassi, dhausa, etc. They are customarily brought from the ex-princely state of Dasapalla by a specialist team of carpenters who have hereditary rights and privileges for the same. The logs are traditionally set afloat as rafts in the river Mahanadi. These are collected near Puri and then transported by road.

The three chariots are decorated as per the unique scheme prescribed and followed for centuries stand on the Bada Danda, the Grand Avenue. Covered with bright canopies made of stripes of red cloth and combined with those of black, yellow and blue colours, the huge chariots are lined across the wide avenue in front of the majestic temple close to its eastern entrance, which is also known as the Sinhadwara or the Lion’s Gate.

Nandighosa Rath-

Lord Jagannatha’s chariot is called Nandighosa. It is forty-five feet high and forty-five feet square at the wheel level. It has sixteen wheels, each of seven-foot diameter, and is decked with a cover made of red and yellow cloth. Lord Jagannatha is identified with Krishna, who is also known as Pitambara, the one attired in golden yellow robes and hence the distinguishing yellow stripes on the canopy of this chariot.

Taladhwaja Rath-

The chariot of Lord Balarama, called the Taladhwaja, is the one with the Palm Tree on its flag. It has fourteen wheels, each of seven-foot diameter and is covered with red and blue cloth. Its height is forty-four feet.

Dwarpadalana  Rath-

The chariot of Subhadra, known as Dwarpadalana, literally “trampler of pride,” is forty-three feet high with twelve wheels, each of seven-foot diameter. This chariot is decked with a covering of red and black cloth – black being traditionally associated with Shakti and the Mother Goddess.

Around each of the chariots are nine Parsva devatas, painted wooden images representing different deities on the chariots’ sides. Each of the chariots is attached to four horses. These are of different colours – dark ones for Balarama, white ones for Jagannatha, and red ones for Subhadra. Each chariot has a charioteer called Sarathi. The three charioteers attached to the chariots of Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra respectively are Daruka, Matali and Arjuna.