Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024: Date, History, Time And Ritual Explained

The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra, one of India's most loved festivals, is set to enchant devotees and visitors alike in 2024. This grand celebration, which honours Lord Jagannath and his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, held from June 29, 2024 to July 7, 2024, has come to a close.

This nine-day festival, one of India's most cherished, celebrates Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and their sister Subhadra. Millions of devotees gather in Puri, Odisha, to witness this grand procession, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024: Date and Time

The Puri Rath Yatra 2024 took place from Saturday, June 29, to Sunday, July 7, 2024. The Gundicha temple, which remains quiet for most of the year, suddenly becomes the centre of attention during this week. It's here that the deities spend seven days before returning to their main abode.

Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024: History

Each deity has their chariot for the journey. Lord Jagannath's Nandighosha has 16 wheels, Lord Balabhadra's Taladhwaja has 14, and Goddess Subhadra's Darpadalan has 12. These massive wooden chariots, pulled by devotees, create a spectacular sight as they move through the streets of Puri.

The festival is rich with rituals and traditions. On the fourth day, known as Hera Panchami, Goddess Lakshmi visits the Gundicha temple in search of Lord Jagannath. The return journey, called Bahuda Yatra, takes place on the eighth day.

The current Jagannath temple in Puri, built in the 12th century, is a masterpiece of Kalinga architecture. The Rath Yatra tradition has been celebrated for centuries, drawing larger crowds each year. In recent times, the festival attracts between 400,000 to 500,000 pilgrims annually.

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Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024: Rituals

The Rath Yatra isn't just a spectacular one-day parade, it's a week-long event filled with unique rituals and celebrations that unfold with each passing day. One of the most fascinating rituals is Hera Panchami, which falls on the fourth day of the Rath Yatra. This ceremony reenacts the story of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu (with whom Lord Jagannath is identified).

According to the manuscripts, Goddess Lakshmi becomes upset with Lord Jagannath for leaving their home for his aunt's abode (the Gundicha temple). To express her displeasure, she does not accompany him on his journey. Hera Panchami marks her arrival at the Gundicha temple, searching for her missing husband. This ritual adds a layer of human emotion and marital love to the divine narrative.

The week culminates in the grand finale known as Bahuda Yatra. After spending eight blissful days at the Gundicha temple, the deities prepare to return to their main abode. This grand procession involves beautifully decorated elephants, dancers, and devotees pulling the colossal chariots back to the temple complex.

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It is believed that those who see the idols during the Rath Yatra will have a prosperous year ahead. The Gundicha temple, which remains vacant for most of the year, becomes the centre of activities during the seven days when the deities reside there.

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