Ratha Yatra (The Car Festival): Some briefings and links.

[NK Mishra]

Ratha Yatra is one of the major Hindu festivals associated with Lord Jagannath at Puri in Orissa.

It is a large annual festival originating in the city of Puri. Most of the city's society is based around the worship of Lord Jagannath with the ancient temple being the fulcrum of the area.

The deities - Jagannath (Krishna), Baladeva and Subhadra are worshipped within the temple, but on the day of Ratha Yatra they are taken through the streets in huge chariots so that everyone can have the fortune of seeing them.This commemorates the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and their sister Subhadra to their aunt' s temple which is situated at a distance of 2 kilometres from their temple. This is the only day when devotees who are not allowed in the temple premises such as non-Hindus and foreigners, can get their glimpse of the deities openly. The Rath carts themselves are some 50-60 feet high and are pulled by the thousands of pilgrims who turn up for the event.Millions of people congregate at Puri for this annual event from all over the country and abroad.

The festival commemorates Krishna's return to His home in Vrindavan after a long period of separation from the people there.

The Ratha Yatra festival has become a common sight in most major cities around the world since 1968 through the Hare Krishna movement. Its leader A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada successfully transplanted the festival which now happens on an annual basis in places such as London, Paris and New York.

According to Oriya Calendar, Ratha Yatra falls on Asadha shukla dwitiya, the second day of the bright fortnight of the month of Asadha (June-July).

Rathayatra is telecast LIVE on Indian national television DD as well as some regional channels. The live webcast is also made available by arrangement with NIC (National Informatics Centre) and DD on the website:

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http://rathjatra.nic.in/

Rathayatra 2006 footage can be viewed at :
(Windows Media Player)

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http://rathjatra.nic.in/live11.htm

(Real Player)

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http://rathjatra.nic.in/live.htm

Also 2003, 2004 and 2005 video is available on the same website.

[ItzSonali]

The footage were nice. Thanks! Even I came to know about such website for the first time. But the commentary is in English. Can we request the authority to provide Oriya commentary like those beautiful Dharabibarani by Suryanarayan Rathasharma and like.

[oriyaman]

Rath Yatra/Jatra - The Famous temple chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, takes place in Puri. On the first day, the temple images are carried through the street in three huge thundering chariots which have made this event internationally known. Nine days later, the journey is repeated in the opposite direction. To witness this festival is an experience of a life time, but make sure to book rooms and make all other arrangements well in advance.

http://www.rathyatra.net/