Why in News?
- Recently, The grand Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath Swami Ji was organized in Allahabad under the auspices of the Shri Jagannath Swami Rath Yatra Committee Kydganj.
Key Points:-
=> The Rath Yatra commenced from the Shri Jagannath Temple situated on Triveni Marg in Kydganj.
=> In addition to the NandiGhosh Rath of Lord Jagannath, the chariots of Garuda Dev, Badri Vishal, Lord Ram, and Lord Dwarkadhish were also part of the procession.
=> Tableaus depicting Radha Krishna, Narsingh Avatar, and Damodar Leela were also included in the Rath Yatra.
=> Jagannath Rath Yatra is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the journey of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, and his younger sister Goddess Subhadra from their home temple in Puri, Odisha to their aunt’s temple in Gundicha, about three kilometres away.
=> The legend behind the festival is that once, Goddess Subhadra expressed her desire to visit her aunt’s place in Gundicha.
=> To fulfill her wish, Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra decided to accompany her on a chariot ride.
=> This event is commemorated every year by taking the deities on a similar journey.
=> The festival dates back to at least the 12th century CE, when the Jagannath temple was built by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva.
=> However, some sources suggest that the festival was already in practice since ancient times.
=> The festival is also known as Festival of Chariots, as the deities are carried on three massive wooden chariots that are pulled by devotees with ropes.
=> It begins on the second day of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashadha (June-July) and lasts for nine days.
Jagannath Puri Temple:-
- It is one of the most impressive monuments of the Indian State Odisha.
- This temple is known as the “White Pagoda” and is a part of Char Dham pilgrimages (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram).
- It is a splendid example of Kalinga architecture, which is characterised by curvilinear towers, intricate carvings and ornate sculptures.
- The temple complex is surrounded by a high wall with four gates facing the four cardinal directions.
- The main temple consists of four structures: the vimana (sanctum), the jagamohana (assembly hall), the nata-mandira (festival hall) and the bhoga-mandapa (offering hall).
- Jagannath Puri temple is called ‘Yamanika Tirtha’ where, according to the Hindu beliefs, the power of ‘Yama’, the god of death has been nullified in Puri due to the presence of Lord Jagannath.