The Vice President of India recently expressed festive greetings on the occasion of the Rath Yatra of Jagannath Puri in Odisha. This annual event, also known as the Chariot festival, is a Hindu festival that is deeply associated with Lord Jagannath, and it is predominantly held at Puri in Odisha.
The celebration of this grand event takes place on the 2nd day of Shukla Paksha of Ashadh, which is the third month as per the traditional Oriya calendar. Spanning a period of nine days, this event signifies the return of Lord Krishna to Vrindavan, in the company of his sister Subhadra and his brother Balabhadra, to the Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple, located close to Saradha Bali in Puri.
The Charm of the Chariots
As part of the festivities, three sacred chariots carrying idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balaram (Balabhadra), and sister Subhadra traverse through the streets, pulled by thousands of devotees both from India and overseas.
The Significance of Jagannath Temple
This temple, built in the 12th century by King Anatavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty, is called ‘Yamanika Tirtha’. As per Hindu beliefs, the power of ‘Yama’, the god of death, has been nullified in Puri owing to the presence of Lord Jagannath. Known as the “White Pagoda”, it forms a part of the Char Dham pilgrimages, which include Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, and Rameswaram.
Architectural Details of the Temple
The temple boasts of four entrances – the Eastern ‘Singhdwara’ adorned with two crouching lions, the Southern ‘Ashwadwara’, the Western ‘Vyaghra Dwara’ and the Northern ‘Hastidwara’. At each of these gates, you will find a specific form carved out. The Aruna stambha or sun pillar stands tall at the entrance, which was originally stationed at the Sun Temple in Konark.
Other Monuments of Note in Odisha
Odisha is steeped in a rich cultural and architectural heritage. Apart from the Jagannath Puri, it is home to several notable monuments including the Konark Sun Temple – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lingaraj Temple, Tara Tarini Temple, and the Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves. These sites make Odisha a rich repository of culture and architecture and shed light on the state’s historical significance.
