Ratha Yatra

*Ratha Yatra*in Hinduism
Viswanatha (Shiva) and Visalakshi (Parvati) chariot festival in Kerala	Chariot in Tamil Nadu
Krishna and Arjuna at arathafestival	A girl as goddess in a NepaleserathaduringIndra Jatra
KrishnaandRadha,London, UK chariot festival	Thiruvizha festival
A chariot is constructed for use in a Ratha Yatra celebration in London, UK.

Ratha Yatra
Ratha Yatra
	Three chariots of the deities with the Temple in the background, Puri
Also called	Ghosa Jatra
Observed by	Hindu
Type	Religious
Begins	AshadhaShuklaDwitiya
Ends	Ashadha ShuklaDashami
2023 date	20 June
2024 date	7 July
2025 date	27 June
2026 date	16 July
Frequency	annual

Ratha Yatra^[a](/ˈrʌθəˈjɑːtrə/), orchariot festival,is any public procession in a chariot.^[3]^[4]They are held annually during festivals in India,Nepaland Sri Lanka.^[5]The term also refers to the popular annualRatha YatraofPuri.^[6]that involve a public procession with a chariot with deitiesJagannath(Vishnuavatar),Balabhadra(his brother),Subhadra(his sister) andSudarshana Chakra(his weapon) on aratha,a woodendeula-shaped chariot.^[7]^[8]

Ratha Yatra processions have been historically common in Vishnu-related (Jagannath, Rama, Krishna) traditions inHinduismacross India,^[9]in Shiva-related traditions,^[10]saints and goddesses in Nepal,^[11]withTirthankarasinJainism,^[12]as well as tribal folk religions found in the eastern states of India.^[13]Notable Ratha Yatras in India include theRatha Yatra of Puri,theDhamrai Ratha YatrainBangladeshand theRatha Yatra of Mahesh.Hindu communities outside India, such as in Singapore, celebrate Ratha Yatra such as those associated withJagannath,Krishna,ShivaandMariamman.^[14]According to Knut Jacobsen, aRatha Yatrahas religious origins and meaning, but the events have a major community heritage, social sharing and cultural significance to the organizers and participants.^[15]

Western impressions of the Jagannath Ratha Yatra in Puri as a display of unstoppable force are the origin of the English wordjuggernaut.

Etymology[edit]

Ratha Yatra is derived from two Sanskrit words,Ratha,which means chariot or carriage, andYatrawhich means journey or pilgrimage.^[16]In other Indian languages such asOdia,the phonetic equivalents are used, such asjatra.

Description[edit]

Ratha Yatrais a journey in a chariot accompanied by the public. It typically refers to a procession (journey) of deities, people dressed like deities, or simply religious saints and political leaders.^[5]The term appears in medieval texts of India such as thePuranas,which mention the Ratha Yatra ofSurya(Sun god), ofDevi(Mother goddess), and ofVishnu.These chariot journeys have elaborate celebrations where the individuals or the deities come out of a temple accompanied by the public journeying with them through theKsetra(region, streets) to another temple or to the river or the sea. Sometimes the festivities include returning to the sacrosanctum of the temple.^[5]^[17]

TravelerFa-Hienwho visited India during 400 CE notes the way temple car festivals were celebrated in India.

The cities and towns of this country [Magadha] are the greatest of all in the Middle Kingdom [Mathura through Deccan]. The inhabitants are rich and prosperous, and vie with one another in the practice of benevolence and righteousness. Every year on the eighth day of the second month they celebrate a procession of images. They make a four-wheeled car, and on it erect a structure of four storeys by means of bamboos tied together. This is supported by a king-post, with poles and lances slanting from it, and is rather more than twenty cubits high, having the shape of a tope. White and silk-like cloth of hair is wrapped all round it, which is then painted in various colours. They make figures of devas, with gold, silver, and lapis lazuli grandly blended and having silken streamers and canopies hung out over them. On the four sides are niches, with a Buddha seated in each, and a Bodhisattva standing in attendance on him. There may be twenty cars, all grand and imposing, but each one different from the others. On the day mentioned, the monks and laity within the borders all come together; they have singers and skillful musicians; they pay their devotion with flowers and incense. The Brahmans come and invite the Buddhas to enter the city. These do so in order, and remain two nights in it. All through the night they keep lamps burning, have skillful music, and present offerings. This is the practice in all the other kingdoms as well. The Heads of the Vaisya families in them establish in the cities houses for dispensing charity and medicines. All the poor and destitute in the country, orphans, widowers, and childless men, maimed people and cripples, and all who are diseased, go to those houses, and are provided with every kind of help, and doctors examine their diseases. They get the food and medicines which their cases require, and are made to feel at ease; and when they are better, they go away of themselves.
— Faxian, c. 415 CE^[18]

Places[edit]

A stunning example of Kalinga architecture is the Jagannath Temple, which was constructed in the twelfth century by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva. The goddesses Subhadra, Balabhadra, and Lord Jagannath reside in this hallowed shrine. The festival of Ratha Yatra, which draws pilgrims and visitors from all over the world, is closely linked to the history of the Jagannath Temple.

Preparations for Ratha Yatra 2024 Preparations for Ratha Yatra 2024 Ratha Yatra 2024 is being planned months in advance, with artisans building the enormous chariots for the gods. Every year, each chariot is constructed from scratch utilizing particular wood species and customary blueprints. The largest chariot belongs to Lord Jagannath and is named Nandighosa. Taladhwaja belongs to Balabhadra and Darpadalana to Subhadra.

The Chariot Festival: Day One In a custom known as Pahandi, the gods are ceremoniously taken out of the Jagannath Temple on the day of the Ratha Yatra. Devotees are dancing and chanting in the streets during this colorful and joyful celebration. After that, the gods are mounted on their appropriate chariots and prepared to travel to Gundicha Temple.

The Chariot Festival Ratha Yatra Day One^[19] The Journey to Gundicha Temple The Journey to Gundicha Temple The atmosphere is electrifying with excitement and dedication as thousands of devotees pull the chariots. There is singing, dancing, and nonstop hymn chanting during the three-kilometer trek to Gundicha Temple. The yearly pilgrimage of Lord Jagannath and his siblings to their birthplace is represented by this procession.

Gundicha Temple and the Nine-Day Sojourn Upon reaching Gundicha Temple, the deities are welcomed with elaborate rituals. They stay at the Gundicha Temple for nine days, during which various religious ceremonies and cultural events take place. This period is known as the Gundicha Yatra, where devotees can offer prayers and seek blessings from the deities.

Ratha Yatra 2024 Gundicha Temple and the Nine-Day Sojourn Bahuda Yatra The Return Journey of Ratha Yatra Bahuda Yatra: The Return Journey Nine days later, the gods set out on the Bahuda Yatra, a trek back to the Jagannath Temple. Devotees drag the chariots back to their original abode in this equally magnificent event. For the devotees, the trip back is a time of great joy and celebration.

Suna Besha: The Golden Attire At the Ratha Yatra event, the Suna Besha, where the gods are decked out in gold jewelry and decorations, is one of the highlights. The day following the gods’ return to the Jagannath Temple is when this magnificent ceremony takes place. The finale of the Ratha Yatra celebrations is the stunning sight of the deities dressed in gold, drawing thousands of devotees. ^[20]

International Jagannath Ratha Yatra[edit]

The Ratha Yatra festival has become a common sight in most major cities of the world since 1968 through theHare Krishnamovement. Local chapters put on the festival annually in over a hundred cities worldwide.^[21]

Dhamrai Jagannath Rathayatra[edit]

Dhamrai Jagannath Rathais a chariot temple, aRoth,dedicated to theHinduGodJagannathlocated inDhamrai,Bangladesh.The annual Jagannath Ratha Yatra is a famous Hindu festival attracting thousands of people. The Ratha Yatra in Dhamrai is one of the most important events for the Hindu community of Bangladesh.^[22]The original historical Roth was burnt down by the Pakistan Army in 1971.^[17]The Roth has since been rebuilt with Indian assistance.

Iskcon Swamibagh, Dhaka Rathyatra[edit]

Iskcon Swamibaghis a temple dedicated to theHinduGodKrishnalocated in Swamibagh,Dhaka.The annual Jagannath Ratha Yatra is a famous Hindu festival attracting thousands of people. The Ratha Yatra in Swamibagh is one of the most important events for the Hindu community of Bangladesh.

Rathayatra of Mahesh[edit]

The Rathayatra of Mahesh is the second oldestchariotfestival inIndia(after the Rath Yatra at Puri) and the oldest inBengal,^[23]having been celebrated since 1396 CE.^[24]It is a month-long festival held at Mahesh inSeramporeofWest Bengaland a grand fair is held at that time. People throng to have a share in pulling the long ropes (Roshi) attached to the chariots of LordJagannath,BalaramaandSubhadraon the journey from the temple to Gundicha Bari (Masir bari) and back.Subhadrais worshipped withKrishnain Jagannath Yatra.^[25]

Manipur[edit]

The practice of Ratha Yatra inManipurwas introduced in the nineteenth century. TheKhaki Ngambachronicle mentions that on a Monday in either April or May 1829, theKing of Manipur Gambhir Singhwas passing throughSylhetwhilst on a British expedition against theKhasis.Two processions were being prepared by Sylhet'sMuslimandHinducommunities respectively. TheIslamic monthofMuharramin thehistory of Sylhetwas a lively time during whichtaziaprocessions were common. This happened to fall on the same day as Ratha Yatra. Sensing possible communal violence, the Faujdar of Sylhet,Ganar Khan,requested the Hindu community to delay their festival by one day. Contrary to the Nawab's statement, a riot emerged between the two communities. As aHinduhimself, Singh managed to defend the Hindus and disperse the Muslim rioters with his Manipuri troops. The Ratha Yatra was not delayed, and Singh stayed to take part in it. Revered by the Hindu community as a defender of their faith, he enjoyed the procession and initiated the practice of celebrating Ratha Yatra and worshippingJagannathin his own homeland ofManipur.^[26]

Examples[edit]

Left: A 1914 painting of achariot festival(Ratha Yatra) in Chennai; Right: AMatsyendranathRatha Yatra in Nepal

Ratha-Jatra,Puri,at Puri in the state of Odisha, is the largest and most visited Ratha Yatra in the world attracting a large crowd every year.
Baripada Ratha Yatra is the second oldest in the world. SoBaripadais also called as Dwitiya Shrikhetra or 2nd Puri. Ratha Jatra has been celebrated here since 1575 without any interruption.^{[citation needed]}
Ratha Yatra ofKendujharis the second largest Ratha Yatra in the world. The Keonjhar Ratha (Chariot) -Nandighoshis the Tallest Ratha in the World.^{[citation needed]}
Rath Yatra (Ahmedabad)- Ratha Yatra also takes place inAhmedabad,Gujarat State,which is known to be the third largest in the world.^[27]
Sukinda Ratha Yatra in Odisha is also known to attract a large number of devotees.
Dhamrai Rathayatra,at Dhamrai in Bangladesh, is the most famous Ratha Yatra in Bangladesh.
ISKCON DhakaRatha Jatra is the second famous Ratha Jatra in Bangladesh.
RajbalhatRatha Jatra, West Bengal, India.

People ofBastar regionobserve Ratha Yatra duringDussehara.^[28]^[29]
Radha Rani Ratha Yatra, held at theRadha Madhav Dhamtemple near Austin, Texas, U.S.A.
Ratha Yatra inSilicon Valleyis organized atGolden Gate Park,San Francisco,California, USA.

Notes[edit]

^Other transliterations includeRatha Jatra,Rathayatra,andRathajatra.

References[edit]

^"National Portal of India".india.gov.in.Archivedfrom the original on 8 August 2020.Retrieved3 August2020.
^"National Portal of India".india.gov.in.Archivedfrom the original on 6 February 2021.Retrieved3 August2020.
^Lavanya Vemsani (2016).Krishna in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Hindu Lord of Many Names.ABC-CLIO. p. 135.ISBN 978-1-61069-211-3.
^Christophe Jaffrelot (1999).The Hindu Nationalist Movement and Indian Politics: 1925 to the 1990s.Penguin Books. pp. 416–421.ISBN 978-0-14-024602-5.
^^a ^b ^cMichaels; Cornelia Vogelsanger; Annette Wilke (1996).Wild Goddesses in India and Nepal: Proceedings of an International Symposium, Berne and Zurich, November 1994.P. Lang. pp. 270–285.ISBN 978-3-906756-04-2.
^Peter J. Claus; Sarah Diamond; Margaret Ann Mills (2003).South Asian Folklore: An Encyclopedia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.Taylor & Francis. pp. 515–.ISBN 978-0-415-93919-5.
^Lavanya Vemsani (2016).Krishna in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Hindu Lord of Many Names.ABC-CLIO. p. 135.ISBN 978-1-61069-211-3.
^Mandai, Paresh Chandra (2012)."Rathajatra".InIslam, Sirajul;Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.).Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh(Second ed.).Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.^{[permanent dead link]}
^Bruce M. Sullivan (2001).The A to Z of Hinduism.Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 100, 166, 209.ISBN 978-0-8108-4070-6.
^Pratapaditya Pal; Stephen P. Huyler; John E. Cort; et al. (2016).Puja and Piety: Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist Art from the Indian Subcontinent.University of California Press. pp. 72–74 with Figures 23–25.ISBN 978-0-520-28847-8.
^J.P. Losty (2004). David M. Waterhouse (ed.).The Origins of Himalayan Studies: Brian Houghton Hodgson in Nepal and Darjeeling, 1820-1858.Routledge. pp. 93–94 with Figure 5.11.ISBN 978-0-415-31215-8.
^Virendra Kumar Sharma (2002).History of Jainism: With Special Reference to Mathurā.DK. p. 162.ISBN 978-81-246-0195-2.
^Ajit K. Singh (1982).Tribal Festivals of Bihar: A Functional Analysis.Concept. pp. 30–33.
^Vineeta Sinha (2008). Knut A. Jacobsen (ed.).South Asian Religions on Display: Religious Processions in South Asia and in the Diaspora.Routledge. pp. 159–174.ISBN 978-1-134-07459-4.
^Knut A. Jacobsen (2008). Knut A. Jacobsen (ed.).South Asian Religions on Display: Religious Processions in South Asia and in the Diaspora.Routledge. pp. 8–11, 200–201.ISBN 978-1-134-07459-4.
^Nori J. Muster (2013).Betrayal of the Spirit.University of Illinois Press. p. 38.ISBN 978-0-252-09499-6.
^^a ^bMandai, Paresh Chandra (2012)."Rathajatra".InIslam, Sirajul;Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.).Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh(Second ed.).Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.^{[permanent dead link]}
^Fa-Hien (1875)."A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms(Chapter XXVII: Pataliputra or Patna, In Magadha) ".gutenberg.org.Translated (published 415).This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
^https://dailyevents24 /ratha-yatra-2024-history-of-jagannath-temple/
^https://dailyevents24 /ratha-yatra-2024-history-of-jagannath-temple/
^"Festival of India".Archived fromthe originalon 25 February 2009.Retrieved23 December2012.
^"Rathajatra festival today".The New Nation, Dhaka.24 June 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 24 September 2015.Retrieved3 September2012– viaHighBeam Research.
^"Rathayatra celebrated in West Bengal".The Hindu.4 July 2008.Archivedfrom the original on 13 October 2008.Retrieved18 October2008.
^"Bengal celebrates Rathajatra festival".Monsters and Critics.16 July 2007.Retrieved18 October2008.^{[permanent dead link]}
^"Why Subhadra is Worshipped with Krishna in Jagannath Yatra".July 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 7 September 2021.Retrieved7 September2021.
^Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1980).Religious Developments in Manipur in the 18th and 19th Centuries.Manipur State Kala Akademi. pp. 165–166.Gonarkhan
^"About Ahmedabad Ratha Jatra: Jamalpur Jagannath Temple".^{[permanent dead link]}
^S Banerjee, Partha (2008)."Dussehra in Bastar -- a riot of colours - Economic Times".indiatimes.Archivedfrom the original on 3 February 2015.Retrieved9 January2013.The Bastar royal family figures prominently in the script and the props include a huge chariot that is first built, then ritually 'stolen', and then again recovered and pulled ceremonially through the streets of Jagdalpur
^"Tribals celebrate unique Dussehra in Bastar - Oneindia News".news.oneindia.in.2008.Retrieved11 October2023.Another attraction of this 'tribal Dusshra', is a double-decked Ratha (Chariot) with eight wheels and weighing about 30 tonnes.

Bibliography[edit]

Das, J. P. (1982),Puri Paintings: the Chitrakara and his Work,New Delhi: Arnold Heinemann,ISBN 9788190158978
Mitter, P. (1977).Much Maligned Monsters: A History of European Reactions to Indian Art.University of Chicago Press.ISBN 9780226532394.
Starza, O. M. (1993),The Jagannatha Temple at Puri: Its Architecture, Art, and Cult,BRILL,ISBN 978-90-04-09673-8,retrieved15 December2012

[3] Other transliterations includeRatha Jatra,Rathayatra,andRathajatra.

[1] "National Portal of India".india.gov.in.Archivedfrom the original on 8 August 2020.Retrieved3 August2020.

[2] "National Portal of India".india.gov.in.Archivedfrom the original on 6 February 2021.Retrieved3 August2020.

[vemsani135-4] Lavanya Vemsani (2016).Krishna in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Hindu Lord of Many Names.ABC-CLIO. p. 135.ISBN 978-1-61069-211-3.

[5] Christophe Jaffrelot (1999).The Hindu Nationalist Movement and Indian Politics: 1925 to the 1990s.Penguin Books. pp. 416–421.ISBN 978-0-14-024602-5.

[Michaels1996p270-6] Michaels; Cornelia Vogelsanger; Annette Wilke (1996).Wild Goddesses in India and Nepal: Proceedings of an International Symposium, Berne and Zurich, November 1994.P. Lang. pp. 270–285.ISBN 978-3-906756-04-2.

[ClausDiamond2003-7] Peter J. Claus; Sarah Diamond; Margaret Ann Mills (2003).South Asian Folklore: An Encyclopedia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.Taylor & Francis. pp. 515–.ISBN 978-0-415-93919-5.

[8] Lavanya Vemsani (2016).Krishna in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Hindu Lord of Many Names.ABC-CLIO. p. 135.ISBN 978-1-61069-211-3.

[Banglapediab-9] Mandai, Paresh Chandra (2012)."Rathajatra".InIslam, Sirajul;Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.).Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh(Second ed.).Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.^{[permanent dead link]}

[10] Bruce M. Sullivan (2001).The A to Z of Hinduism.Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 100, 166, 209.ISBN 978-0-8108-4070-6.

[11] Pratapaditya Pal; Stephen P. Huyler; John E. Cort; et al. (2016).Puja and Piety: Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist Art from the Indian Subcontinent.University of California Press. pp. 72–74 with Figures 23–25.ISBN 978-0-520-28847-8.

[12] J.P. Losty (2004). David M. Waterhouse (ed.).The Origins of Himalayan Studies: Brian Houghton Hodgson in Nepal and Darjeeling, 1820-1858.Routledge. pp. 93–94 with Figure 5.11.ISBN 978-0-415-31215-8.

[13] Virendra Kumar Sharma (2002).History of Jainism: With Special Reference to Mathurā.DK. p. 162.ISBN 978-81-246-0195-2.

[14] Ajit K. Singh (1982).Tribal Festivals of Bihar: A Functional Analysis.Concept. pp. 30–33.

[Jacobsen2008p159-15] Vineeta Sinha (2008). Knut A. Jacobsen (ed.).South Asian Religions on Display: Religious Processions in South Asia and in the Diaspora.Routledge. pp. 159–174.ISBN 978-1-134-07459-4.

[16] Knut A. Jacobsen (2008). Knut A. Jacobsen (ed.).South Asian Religions on Display: Religious Processions in South Asia and in the Diaspora.Routledge. pp. 8–11, 200–201.ISBN 978-1-134-07459-4.

[17] Nori J. Muster (2013).Betrayal of the Spirit.University of Illinois Press. p. 38.ISBN 978-0-252-09499-6.

[Banglapedia-18] Mandai, Paresh Chandra (2012)."Rathajatra".InIslam, Sirajul;Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.).Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh(Second ed.).Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.^{[permanent dead link]}

[19] Fa-Hien (1875)."A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms(Chapter XXVII: Pataliputra or Patna, In Magadha) ".gutenberg.org.Translated (published 415).This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.

[20] ttps://dailyevents24 /ratha-yatra-2024-history-of-jagannath-temple/

[21] ttps://dailyevents24 /ratha-yatra-2024-history-of-jagannath-temple/

[22] "Festival of India".Archived fromthe originalon 25 February 2009.Retrieved23 December2012.

[23] "Rathajatra festival today".The New Nation, Dhaka.24 June 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 24 September 2015.Retrieved3 September2012– viaHighBeam Research.

[24] "Rathayatra celebrated in West Bengal".The Hindu.4 July 2008.Archivedfrom the original on 13 October 2008.Retrieved18 October2008.

[25] "Bengal celebrates Rathajatra festival".Monsters and Critics.16 July 2007.Retrieved18 October2008.^{[permanent dead link]}

[26] "Why Subhadra is Worshipped with Krishna in Jagannath Yatra".July 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 7 September 2021.Retrieved7 September2021.

[27] Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1980).Religious Developments in Manipur in the 18th and 19th Centuries.Manipur State Kala Akademi. pp. 165–166.Gonarkhan

[28] "About Ahmedabad Ratha Jatra: Jamalpur Jagannath Temple".^{[permanent dead link]}

[29] S Banerjee, Partha (2008)."Dussehra in Bastar -- a riot of colours - Economic Times".indiatimes.Archivedfrom the original on 3 February 2015.Retrieved9 January2013.The Bastar royal family figures prominently in the script and the props include a huge chariot that is first built, then ritually 'stolen', and then again recovered and pulled ceremonially through the streets of Jagdalpur

[30] "Tribals celebrate unique Dussehra in Bastar - Oneindia News".news.oneindia.in.2008.Retrieved11 October2023.Another attraction of this 'tribal Dusshra', is a double-decked Ratha (Chariot) with eight wheels and weighing about 30 tonnes.

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