JAI JAGANNATH SWAMI

NAYAN PATHA GAMI

BHABA TUME

INTRODUCTION

The historic CAR FESTIVAL of PURI in ODISHA is an important facet of HINDU CIVILIZATION in Indian peninsula. It is important because it stands for UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD and offers an unprecedented access to the humanity at large to come closer to the divinity. MAN AND GOD AND GOD AND MAN BECOME ONE IN THE RATHA YATRA. The majestic, magnificent and monumental temple of LORD JAGANNATHA situated on the bank of BAY OF BENGAL, PURI DIST. in ODISHA . It is one of the FOUR DHAMAS or holiest place of India. The Car festival of LORD JAGANNATH is one of the historically remarkable religious festivals celebrated enthusiastically in accordance with the scriptural prescription at Puri since antiquity. This cultural capital of ODISHA to witness the presidential celebration of the LORD'S journey with His associates to SHREE GUNDICHA TEMPLE for long seven days in the name of RATHA YATRA OR CAR FESTIVAL. The CAR FESTIVAL is also entitled as 'GHOSA YATRA'.

ORIGIN

Some historian ascribe the origin of the CAR FESTIVAL to Buddhist Convention. FA- HIEN The Chinese pilgrimage in 4th century have described the Car Festival in Khotan, a city in West China, where the image of Buddha was installed in Chariot, and the king of Khotan used to sprinkle water and sweep the chariot in broomstick. It was observed in the month of June . He was also seen the Car Festival at Pataliputra on the birth day of Buddha.

Some historical sources Fahein infer that Car Festival at Puri have its source from Buddhism.

IN Ramayana and Mahabharata there is mention of RATHA in number of times. Ratha or Chariot was is an insignia of aristocracy used by royal order.

KAUTILYA mentions about the cars used by Gods In his book ARTHASHATRA

UPANISHADS - CHANDOGYA UPANISHAD also asserts Brahman to be the Ultimate reality and to realise Brahma is the secret of bliss. MUNDAK UPANISHAD speaks about knowing by becoming, the Supreme Brahman becomes Brahman himself.

BHAGVAT GITA says that Man is mortal and thus believes in god. Lord Jagannath symbolises love, tolerance and pardon. His cults endeared all over the world. That includes atheists and agnostic. Lord Krishna commands all and sundry to chant his name and take refuge in him.

ABUL FAZL

The Muslim historian Abul Fazl described about Jagannath Temple. Jagannath is defined as Lord of Universe. He is Purusottam . Purusa means Parambrahma or Vishnu. Purusottam means Paramatma or supreme soul . In the town of Purusottam on the bank of sea stands the temple of Jagannath, where the three images of Jagannath, his brother and sister installed. They were washed 6 times every day and freshly clothed. 60 brahmans are used to be on their feet in their service and each time they are washed and made to new garments. They are made an offering of large dishes of food, the leavings of which are taken by twenty thousand people. The Brahmins at certain times carry the image in procession upon a carriage of sixteen wheels, which in the Hindu Language is called Ratha, and they believe that whoever assists in drawing it along obtained remission of all his sins .

The Eastern Ganga king Chodaganga Deva, the builder of Jagannath Temple and illustrious successor Anangabhima 3( 1211-1238). Lord Jagannath was given the status of state deity and entire temple was dedicated as Purusottam Samrajya.

BRITISHERS -

ALEXANDER HAMILTON who visited Puri in 1708 A. D. has furnished a second hand report on the Car Festival and has mentioned. After the British occupation of Orissa, HARCOURT visited Puri and witnessed the car festival in 1805. According to him the Festival was witnessed by at least five lakhs of people.

JAMES FERGUSON witnessed the Car festival in 1837 A.D. He published his impressions in his book 'picturesque illustrations of Ancient Architecture in Hindustan' in 1847 A.D. He saw no victims crushed under the wheels of the Chariot.

CHARLES GROME, the collector of Puri in 1805 and GEORGE WEBB, the collector of Cuttack in 1807 at the behest of Governor General in council mad exhaustive probe in respect of the management of the temple of LORD JAGANNATHA which included various modes of ritual worship, temple revenues, the role of Mathas, the inflow of pilgrims to Puri, the structure of the prevailing pilgrim tax etc in a rational manner.

Other odia , Sanskrit and Hindi literary works contain descriptions of Car Festivals. BASANTOTSAVA KAVYAM of Haladhara Mishra, GUNDICHA CHAMPU of Bakravak Chakrapani Pattanaik, GUNDICHAUTSAVA VERNANAM of Bhaguveta Brahma, GUNDICHA VIJE of Brajanath Bada Jena , BRAHMA PRAKASIKA TIKA of Pandit Narahari , GANGA VAMSANUCHARITAM by Vasudev Ratha.

The odia port, philosophers of Mediaeval Orissa, including SALABEGA, a Muslim devotee, have expressed through poetry, their poignant visions of Lord Jagannath and the glory of the Car Festival.

RATHA YATRA

The World famous CAR FESTIVAL of Lord Jagannath held on 'Ashadha Sukla Dwitiya' , the 2nd day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha( June- july) every year. With the proper ritualistic procedure, Lord Jagannath and His associates ascend their respective chariots Enthusiastic devotees and excited mortals drag the chariots along the main road BADADANDA) from the Grand Temple to the GUNDICHA Temple which is installed at the north end of the main road. After sojourning there for about seven days, the Lord's return to their usual Sanctum in the same respective cars. This return journey is christened as BAHUDA YATRA. This festival is popularly known as Ratha Yatra, GUNDICHA YATRA, and also GHOSA YATRA . ON the CAR FESTIVAL day, the deities are carried to the Chariots in a traditional ceremonial manner first Sudarshan and Jagannath are made to swing forward and backward in a manner called PAHANDI. THE Chariot of Lord Jagannath is known as Nandighosa, which literally means ' the Call of Bliss'. It has 16 wheels and the colour of the fabrics that cover the roof of the Chariot are Red and Yellow. The Chariot of Lord Balabhadra is known as Taladhwaja , which means ' the glory of Completeness '. It has 14 wheels an the colour of the fabrics are Red and green. Sunhadra's Chariot Devadolan , which means 'elimination of vanity' wheels and fabrics are Red and Black. Sudarshan is seated by the side of the Subhadra in her Chariot. Madanmohan, a representative deity of Jagannath sits in the chariot of Lord Jagannath. So also two other small idols Rama and Krishna take their seats in the chariot of Balabhadra. These small idols are made of metal. Thus actually seven deities namely Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra, Sudarshana, Madanmohan, Rama and Krishna are seated on three chariots and moved to a temple as GUNDICHA Ghar which is at a distance of about 3kms away from Jagannath temple. The chariot of Bhalabhadra is dragged first, followed by those of Subhadra and Jagannath.

On the first day chariot dragged to the GUNDICHA Ghar. On return Car Festival day, the deities are brought to the Simhadwar area of the Jagannath Temple. On the following day of BAHUDA YATRA, the deities are attired in golden components in the name of SUNABESHA. A ritual performed on the 5th day ( starting from and including the day of Car Festival) is known as ' HERA PANCHAMI' when Goddess Laxmi proceeds to GUNDICHA. In the evening of the 10th day the deities are adorned with gold ornaments and dressed gorgeously in their respective chariots parked in the Simhadwara area. On the same day another ritual called ' Hari Sayan Ekadasi' is performed. On the following day the 12th of the bright fortnight,another important ceremony known as 'Adharapana Bhog' is performed. A sweet drink is offered to the deities. On the evening of the following day, the deities are taken to the temple in a traditional procession amidst gathering of thousands of devotees, which is known as NILADRI BIJE ( THE Return of Sanctum). The most distinctive feature of Ratha Yatra of Puri is the close and peculiar religious linkage of the Gajapati king of odisha with Lord Jagannath. Sweeping of the Cars by the king before the multitude of devotees standings below is the height of religious humility in comparable and unconceivable.

CAR FESTIVAL ( GHOSHA YATRA) OF SUPREME GOD JAGANNATH IN PURI, ODISHA

CAR FESTIVAL OF PURI