Rath Yatra (Ahmedabad)
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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.[1][2]
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.[2]
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.[3]
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.[4]
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.[5]
Jalayatra
Jalayatra have been carried out on Jayestha Shukla Purnima when Jagannath, Balrama and Subhdra symbolically go to the maternal uncle's home at Saraspur
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.[7]
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
References
- ^ "Passage being smoothened for 141st Rath Yatra". The Times of India. TNN. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
- ^ a b "136th Jagannath rath yatra begins in Ahmedabad amid tight security". India Today. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
- ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ "રથયાત્રા" [Rathyatra]. www.sadhanaweekly.com (in Gujarati). Retrieved 4 July 2019.
- ^ "જાણો અમદાવાદ જગન્નાથજીની રથયાત્રાનો ઈતિહાસ" [Learn the history of Ahmedabad Jagannathji's Rathyatra]. khabarchhe.com (in Gujarati). Retrieved 4 July 2019.
- ^ a b "Jal Yatra – Shree Jagannathji Mandir". 28 February 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
- ^ "Netrotsav puja performed ahead of Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad". DeshGujarat. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
- ^ "Jagannath Rath Yatra Begins in Gujarat".
- ^ "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.