Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : In the sacred temple town of Puri, Odisha, the air is already buzzing with devotion and fervent activity. The sounds of hammers and chisels echo through the streets as preparations ramp up for the Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of the most ancient and magnificent religious festivals in the world. This is the time when the lord of the universe, Lord Jagannath, along with his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra, emerge from their sanctum for a grand procession.
At the heart of the preparations is the construction of three colossal wooden chariots, which are essentially mobile temples. These are not just any structures; they are built according to strict, ancient traditions by generations of artisans known as 'biswakarmas'. Lord Jagannath’s chariot, Nandighosa, stands tall and is adorned with red and yellow canopies. Lord Balabhadra’s chariot, Taladhwaja, is covered in red and green, while Devi Subhadra’s, Darpadalana, uses red and black.
The entire festival is a series of deeply symbolic rituals that begin months in advance. The construction of the chariots commences on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya. A key event preceding the Yatra is the Devasnana Purnima, a grand bathing festival where the deities are brought out and bathed in 108 pots of scented water. It is believed that after this elaborate bath, the deities fall ill with a fever and enter a 15-day period of seclusion known as 'Anasara'.
During Anasara, the deities are kept away from public view and are offered traditional healing foods. Their reappearance, on the day before the Yatra, is a festival in itself called Netrotsav, or the "Festival of the Eyes," where devotees get the first glimpse of the divine siblings, now fully rejuvenated.
The day of the Rath Yatra is a sight to behold. A sea of humanity throngs the Bada Danda, or the Grand Road, to witness the 'Pahandi Bije,' the majestic ceremonial procession of the idols from the temple onto their respective chariots. In a powerful display of humility and service, the Gajapati Maharaja, the titular king of Puri, performs the 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual, sweeping the chariots with a golden broom.
Finally, with ropes thick as pythons, thousands of devotees pull the chariots in a collective act of faith, guiding the deities on their annual journey to the Gundicha Temple, their aunt's home. More than just a procession, the Jagannath Rath Yatra is a profound expression of faith, unity, and living cultural heritage that draws millions of pilgrims from across the globe.
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