JAGANNATH RATH YATRA

 Jagannath Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is a major Hindu festival celebrated yearly in the city of Puri, Odisha, India. The festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra. The festival is celebrated on the second day of the Shukla Paksha of the Hindu month of Ashadha, which falls in June or July.

The history behind the Jagannath Rath Yatra dates back to several centuries. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are believed to have come to Puri from their original abode in Dwarka, Gujarat. The temple of Jagannath in Puri was built in the 12th century by the ruler Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, and the first Rath Yatra was organized during his reign.

The Rath Yatra is celebrated in a grand manner in Puri, with millions of devotees from all over India and the world visiting the city to witness the festival. The festival's main event involves the procession of the deities on three huge chariots (raths) that are pulled through the streets of Puri by devotees. The chariots are intricately designed and decorated with colorful fabrics, flowers, and other ornamental materials.

The procession of the chariots is accompanied by the sound of cymbals, drums, and other musical instruments, as well as chanting of hymns and devotional songs. The procession starts from the Jagannath Temple and proceeds to the Gundicha Temple, which is believed to be the temporary abode of the deities during the festival. After spending a week at the Gundicha Temple, the deities are brought back to the Jagannath Temple in a similar procession.

The Rath Yatra is a symbol of the unity of all devotees, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion. The festival is also considered to be a celebration of the divine love between Lord Jagannath and his devotees. Those who participate in the Rath Yatra and pull the chariots are believed to be blessed with good fortune and spiritual liberation.

Here are some of the ways in which the Rath Yatra is celebrated in different parts of the world:

1. Kolkata, India: The Rath Yatra in Kolkata is organized by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The festival is celebrated with a grand procession of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra on decorated chariots. The procession starts from the ISKCON temple and goes through various parts of the city, accompanied by chanting and dancing devotees.

2. Ahmedabad, India: The Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is known as the Ahmedabad Rath Yatra. The festival is celebrated by the Jagannath Temple in the city, and the chariots are pulled by thousands of devotees. The procession also includes floats depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.

3. London, UK: The Rath Yatra in London is organized by the Bhaktivedanta Manor temple. The festival is celebrated with a procession of the deities on a chariot, accompanied by chanting, singing, and dancing devotees. The procession starts from the temple and goes through the streets of London, with thousands of people participating in the event.

4. New York City, USA: The Rath Yatra in New York City is organized by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in the city. The festival is celebrated with a procession of the deities on decorated chariots, accompanied by devotees chanting and dancing to the sound of drums and cymbals.

5. Durban, South Africa: The Rath Yatra in Durban is organized by the Sri Radha Radhanath Temple. The festival is celebrated with a procession of the deities on a chariot, accompanied by devotees singing and dancing. The procession goes through the streets of Durban, with thousands of people participating in the event.

Overall, the Jagannath Rath Yatra is a significant festival in Hinduism and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion by millions of people every year.