Srimandira

The Car Festival of Lord Unique in many respect

l Dr. Sidhartha Kanungo

The or Car Festival Of actual preparation starts from the Magha Lord Jagannath at is the most famous Saptami with the cutting of trees in distant and the most spectacular festival which Daspalla and nearby areas for providing attracts countless pilgrims from all over the wood necessary for construction of and also from abroad. This festival . On the third day of the bright takes place in Asadha Sukla Dwitiya when fortnight of Baisakh, i.e. Akshaya Trutiya, the images of Lord Jagannath, Lord starts the auspicious construction of Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and chariots on the Grand Road of Puri. It is Sudarshana are taken in a grand indeed a difficult task to construct the procession on three separate chariots Chariots within the short span of 58 days. along the Badadanda from Shrimandira to Snana Yatra or Bathing Ceremony Gundicha Mandira. of Lord Jagannath is held on the full moon The whole cycle of the Car Festival day of Jyestha. On this auspicious consists of the following : (i) The Bathing occasion, the three Deities move in a Festival or Snana Yatra, (ii) Anasara, (iii) colourful procession to a platform known Netra Utsab, (iv) Naba Jaubana Darsana, as Snanavedi (bathing platforms). Here (v) The ceremonial procession of images they bath with one hundred and eight which is otherwise known as Pahandi, (vi) pitchers of perfumed water drawn from a Sweeping of the floor of the chariots by temple well once in a year. After the ritual golden broom by Gajapati maharaja of bath, the Deities assume the special Puri. It is also known as Chherapanhara, elephant form which is otherwise known (vii) Stay of the Deities in Gundicha Ghar as Hati Vesha. for 7 days, (viii) The return journey of After Snana Yatra, the deities are Gods which is known as Bahuda Yatra and supposed to fall ill (fever) and do not (ix) The final return of lord Jagannath to return to their pedestal. They stay away the temple. from the public view for a period of fifteen As stated earlier, the Ratha Yatra days. This is known as Anasara. During takes place in the Second day of bright this period, the deities get fresh coat of fortnight in the month of Asadha. But the paining which gets washed out on the day

60 Srimandira of Snana Yatra. The deities appear in their Then comes the most exciting part Nabayaubana Vesha literally a renewed of Ratha Yatra is the pulling of chariots youth, on the New Moon Day of the month by thousands of people without distinction of Asadha. of caste, colour, sex or religion. First Finally comes the Ratha Yatra, on moves the of Balabhadra, next the second day of the bright fortnight of Subhadra's and finally Jagannath's Asadha. On this occasion Four images of Chariot. Usually they reach the Gundicha Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and temple, the same evening. The deities Sudarshana are dragged forth in a grand enter the Gundicha Temple on the next procession by three separate chariots day in the usual Pahandi style and stay along the Badadanda from Shri Mandir to their for seven days. Gundicha Mandir. The spectacular Goddess Laxmi gets angry for procession by which deities are brought being not allowed to go along with Lord on the chariot is knwon as Pahandi. It is Jagannath and proceeds to the Gundicha the most colourful show of the car Festival Temple to meet Lord Jagannath on the held tightly by the arms by Daitapatis and Hera Panchami Day, the fifth day from the pulled from behind and the front Ratha Yatra. After having a stealthy look alternatively by the ropes tied firmly to the at Her Lord, She returns to Shri Mandir, body, each image is made to jump from damaging a part of Jagannath's Chariot place to place and advance. It worthwhile in anger and disgust. to mention here that no such emotion are As stated earlier, the Deities stay evoked among the crowds like Jagannath. at Gundicha Temple for a period of seven When Balabhadra is carried in Pahandi days. Then starts their return journey or to the Chariot, Subhadra and Sudarshana Bahuda Yatra. On His way back, are just carried by the Daitapatis. Jagannath stopped for few minutes at After all the deities are seared in Mausima Temple or the temple of aunt to their respective chariots starts the Chhera take His favourite rice cake or Poda Pitha. Pahanra. The Gajapati King of Puri comes On the next day, i.e. Bada Ekadasi, the in a decorated Palanquin and climbs the Deities are attired in costumes of Chariots for ceremonial sweeping of floors Glittering gold and are worshipped by by a golden broom. This is known as thousand of devotees. This form of the Chhera Pahanra. It presupposes that no deities is known as Suna Vesha. labour is detestable if it is required for One day after Ekadasi, Lord social purpose. Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess

61 Srimandira

Subhadra and Sudarshana return to the each of seven feet diameter with red and temple with the usual fanfare and in the blue cloth. It has a height of forty-four feet. Pahandi Style. Thus ends the Ratha The name of the Sarathi is Sudyaumna. Yatra, the grand festival of the Chariots. The four wooden black horses attached It will not be out of place to mention to the Chariot bear the names of Sthira, something about the Chariots that the Dhruti, Sthiti and Siddha. The Rathapala Gods Mount. Without a strong is Ananata and 763 pieces of wood are determination, it is indeed very difficult to used in this Chariot. The name of the flag construct these Chariots within a short of the Chariot is Unnani. span of 58 days. The Chariot of the Subhadra is Lord Jagannath's Chariot is known known as Darpadalana, height is forty as Nandighosa. It has a height of 45 feet. three feet with twelve , each of It has sixteen wheels, each of seven feet seven feet diameter. This Chariot is diameter and is decked with red and covered with red and black cloth. The yellow coverings of cloth. The Sarathi or name of Sarathi is . Four wooden the Charioteer made of wood is known as horses fixed to the Chariot as known as Daruka. The Four horses attached to the Prajna, Anuja, Ghora and Aghora. The Chariot are known as Samkha, Rochica, Rathapalika is Vana Durga. 539 pieces of Mochica and Jwalani. They are white in wood are used in this Chariot and the colour. The name of Ratha Pala is Shri name of the Chariot is Nadambika. Nrusingha. At the crest of the Chariot are The Ratha Yatra is being conducted the and the image of Garuda. The at Puri since long ago. It is indeed very name of the flag of Nandighosa is difficult to say since what date it has Trailakyamohini. It may be pointed out that started. The festival will continue so long 832 pieces of wood are used in as the Sanatana Dharma exists on the Nandighosa. Nandighosa is draped in earth. yellow cloth. The Chariot of Lord Balabhadra, vvv called Taladwhaja, has fourteen wheel Chaitanya Dham Sabara Sahi Lane Bhubaneswar - 751006

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