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Rath Yatra (Ahmedabad)

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Hindu festival organised in Ahemdabad, Gujarat
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Decorated Elephants in Rath Yatra, Ahmedabad

Rath Yatra (chariot festival) is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in Ahmedabad. Since 1878, the Jagannath Temple, Ahmedabad has organized the Rath Yatra procession on Asadh Sud Bij. This festival celebrates the deities Jagannath, Balrama and Subhdra.

Held as a Lokotsav (public festival) of Gujarat, the Ahmedabad Rath Yatra is the third largest in India, following the Rath Yatras in Puri and Kolkata, which are also celebrated on the same day.

During the 2023 Rath Yatra procession in Ahmedabad on June 20, a balcony collapse on the route in Dariyapur locality tragically resulted in one fatality and eight injuries.

Legend

According to tradition, Narsimhadas, a saintly figure, dreamt of Lord Jagannath, which is believed to have inspired the commencement of the Rath Yatra festival at the Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad in 1878.

Traditions

Traditionally, the Rath Yatra procession features chariots (known as raths) constructed from coconut wood by devotees from the Khalas community of Bharuch. Members of this community continue to serve as the chariot drivers in the procession.

Artist performing during Rath Yatra at Ahmedabad in 2011
Artist performing his work during Rath Yatra, Ahmedabad (2011).

Jalayatra

Jalayatra have been carried out on Jayestha Shukla Purnima when Jagannath, Balrama and Subhdra symbolically go to the maternal uncle's home at SaraspurDarshana in temple closed that day. Jalayatra of Jagannath to Sabarmati river come with a procession and perform the Ganga Poojan, returning with vessels of water for the Abhisheka to Jagannath. After performing the Shodashopchar Poojan Vidhi by chanting the vedic mantras, symbolically the Lord is sent to His maternal uncle’s home.

Netrotsav

Before two days prior to Rath Yatra, Netrotsav ritual on idols of is conducted. According to belief, the eyes of the three deities are affected with conjunctivitis, owing to eating of Jambu or Jamun (Indian blackberry) and Baur (plum) in excess at Mosal. Hence, idols are symbolically treated for it during Netrotsav pujan by covering eyes with clothes.

Rath Yatra

Mangla Aarti is performed on the day at 4 am and usually Rath Yatra is carried out at 7 am. Pahind Vidhi ritual is performed by Chief Minister of Gujarat in which symbolic cleaning of the path of Rath Yatra is carried out, after which the chariot procession begins. In Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath's chariot is carried out first, followed by Subhadra and Balram's chariot. Akharas, elephants, decorated trucks and troupes also take part in 14 kilometer long Rath Yatra.

References

  1. "Passage being smoothened for 141st Rath Yatra". The Times of India. TNN. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  2. ^ "136th Jagannath rath yatra begins in Ahmedabad amid tight security". India Today. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  3. Bureau, The Hindu (20 June 2023). "One killed as balcony falls during Ahmedabad Rath Yatra". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 March 2024. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. "રથયાત્રા" [Rathyatra]. www.sadhanaweekly.com (in Gujarati). Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  5. "જાણો અમદાવાદ જગન્નાથજીની રથયાત્રાનો ઈતિહાસ" [Learn the history of Ahmedabad Jagannathji's Rathyatra]. khabarchhe.com (in Gujarati). Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  6. ^ "Jal Yatra – Shree Jagannathji Mandir". 28 February 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  7. "Netrotsav puja performed ahead of Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad". DeshGujarat. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  8. "Jagannath Rath Yatra Begins in Gujarat".
  9. "Over 25,000 cops, drone cameras to secure Gujarat Rath Yatra on July 4". India Today. Press Trust of India. 29 June 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
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