By SANTOSH MOHANTY
Rath Yatra was celebrated with deep religious fervour and enthusiasm in Angul in Odisha on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of devotees pulled the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra from Jagannath Temple here to Mausima Temple. Devotees pulled the chariots all along the street to Mausima Temple, the aunt's home of Lord Jagannath, cheering Jay Jagannath.
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| Rath Yatra in Angul today(June 27, 2025) |
The most important religious celebration in Odisha, Ratha Yatra, falls on Ashadha Suklapakhya Dwitiya according to Odia almanac. The month of Ashadha is July in English calendar. Lord Jagannath, who is fodly called by Odias as Kalia Thakura, goes to his aunt's home at Mausima Temple for a nine day sojourn. People from every nook and corner of the world are familiar with Odisha as the abode of Lord Jagannath. Therefore, Odisha is also popularly know as Jagannath Desh(Land of Lord Jagannath).
The Jagannath philosophy is unique in the world as it promotes universal brotherhood. Anybody can pull chariots on Ratha Yatra as there is no bar on caste, creed, colour or religion. This is Jagannath Sanskruti (Culture) of inclusivity, treats everybody as equal, irrespective of power and money. According to Hindu scriptures, pulling of chariots on the streets during Rath Yatra is a pious act that allows oneself to attain Moksha (Liberation) that will free her or him from the mundane anxieties. The religious festival is no longer confined to Odisha alone. Rath Yatra is now being acclaimed as an international festival which is celebrated in a number of countries world over.
Puri(Odisha):
The seat of Lord Jagannath,Puri in Odisha located on the shores of Bay of Bengal in the eastern part of India, is associated with this planet's largest religious procession of the three deities in which over 15 lakh devotees throng the 3-km long Bada Danda (Grand Street) during Rath Yatra. The holy trinity, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath, come out of the 12th-century Jagannath Temple, their abode, to be pulled to Mausima Temple on chariots, situated 3-km away. The Rathas (Chariots), Nandighosa, Darpadalana and Taladhwaja are built afresh every year with neem and Sal wood.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat:
Odia tradition blends with Gujarati during Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad. This festival is known to be the largest after Puri in Odisha. Unlike Puri, however, the chariots are pulled by devotees to Mausima temple on a thirteen kilometer stretch of road.
Kolkata (West Bengal)
Some places in Kolkata, predominantly populated by Odias, have also observed Rath Yatra with a blend of Bengali culture. The Bengalis are known to be great worshippers of Lord Jagannath. A large percentage of devotees who visit Puri every year to get darshan of Lord Jagannath belongs to West Bengal. They virtually make a beeline to Puri which they call as Jagannath Dham to have a glimpse of Jaga Kalia for his blessings.
ISKCON:Rath Yatra is not confined to Puri alone. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) celebrates the festival in cosmopolitan cities like London and New York.The credit goes to ISKCON that has popularized the festival in a number of countries to spread Jagannath culture world over. The universal appeal of Rath Yatra has separated it from other religious festivities in India or abroad. The appeal of Jagannath culture is unmatched and it promotes brotherhood worldwide.
