Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022: Important dates, rituals, and significance

Jagannath Rath Yatra is an important festival of Hindus, which worshipers celebrate with great pomp. You shall know the Jagannath Rath Yatra by the name Puri Rath Yatra, Rath Festival, etc. This Rath Yatra is dedicated to Lord Jagannath. Also, it is an annual event that people celebrate on the second day of Ashad Shukla Paksha. The Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022 will occur on July 01, 2022, with joy, happiness, and immense devotion.

Puri Rath Yatra is the biggest religious festival of Puri, which attracts tourists and devotees from India as well as abroad. More than one million devotees visit Puri every year to witness this grand chariot festival. Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022 commemorates the annual visit of Lord Jagannath to the famous ‘Gundicha Temple’ while passing through the ‘Mausi Maa Temple’ located near Balgandi Chaka in Puri. Simultaneously, the main deities of the temple, Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra, are taken in their respective chariots in a huge procession.

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2022 Jagannath Rath Yatra: Importance dates

The important dates to mark for Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022 are:

Mythological Tale of the Rath Yatra in Puri

According to Hindu scriptures, back in time, once, the queens of Lord Krishna requested Rohini to reveal various Raas Leelas of Lord Krishna with the Gopis. Rohini sent Subhadra to the door before secretly narrating the story of Lord Krishna and did not allow anyone inside. Then after some time, Krishna and Balarama came there and stood at the door on the right and left sides of Subhadra. Along with it, they started listening to the story from Rohini about the childhood stories of Lord Krishna. While he was lost listening to the stories, Narada came. Seeing the three siblings together, Narada asked them to bestow divine manifestations on them in the same pose. Narada’s request was fulfilled as he saw the divine manifestation of the three deities. Therefore all three Jagannath temples reside in Puri, and people decorate their chariots during Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra.

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Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022: Rituals and ceremonies

The celebration of Rath Yatra 2022 begins with special prayers and rituals, worshipping the deities. It is done after the three main deities— Goddess Subhadra, Lord Jagannath, and Lord Balabhadra are seated in their respective chariots. 

• The brightly decorated chariots are then pulled on the streets of Puri and are known as ‘Badadanda’.
• Pulling the chariots is the most important part of the rituals of the Rath Yatra. Devotees from all over the country come with a strong desire to pull the chariot of the Lord as this act is considered very sacred.
• The streets of Puri are thronged with devotees, who come to pray to their God. The procession finally reaches the Gundicha temple, which is the abode of Lord Jagannath’s aunt.
• As soon as the chariots reach the shrines of Puri, a ceremony called Chhera Pahad occurs. It is one of the most important rituals performed on the first day of the Yatra. It symbolises that all are equal in the eyes of the deities in this ritual.
• To perform Chhera Pahad, the Gajapati King wears the uniform of a sweeper and cleans the area around the deities and the chariots with a gold-handed broom and sandalwood water with utmost devotion. As per the Puri Rath Yatra, the Gajapati King performs this ritual for two days.
• The first time when people take the chariot of the deities to the Gundicha temple, the priests give them a ceremonial bath and dress them in the Boirani clothes. The priests perform the same when they return from the Gundicha temple to the Jagannath temple.
• The fourth day is known as the Hera Panchami. As per Hindu rituals, people celebrate this ceremony to mark the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi to Lord Jagannath.

Puri Rath Yatra: Significance and importance

The festival of Jagannath Rath Yatra is to praise and pray to Lord Jagannath, one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Jagannath Temple, according to Hindu spirituals and beliefs, is one of the four major pilgrimage centres for Hindus and has immense religious significance. So, devotees who miss visiting the temple premises on the auspicious day of Puri Rath Yatra can catch a glimpse of their deities as the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022 chariots would roam around the entire city.

People in Odisha call this festival as ‘Ghosa Yatra’, ‘Dashvatar Yatra’, ‘Navadina Yatra’ or ‘Gundicha Yatra’. Rath Yatra in Puri is one of the grandest events that attract a lot of tourists. Therefore, people believe that one who sincerely participates in this Puri Rath Yatra becomes free from the cycle of birth and death. A glimpse of Lord Jagannath on his chariot is very auspicious.

It is to note that every year makers make these chariots from a special wood as per the religious specifications. Even the idols of the deities are of wood and changed religiously every twelve years. Also, remember that the Puri Rath Yatra festival is a symbol of integration and equality. It is one of those rare festivals, which are above all forms of discrimination.

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Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022: Astrological viewpoint

As per Hindu mythology, Lord Jagannath is one of the most divine forms of Lord Vishnu. Therefore, praying to him gives an optimistic impact on the life of an individual. As a worshipper, you can pull the chariot. However, if you cannot do so, astrologically, you may seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath by performing some Jaap, Pooja, and other rituals.

You can simply perform a round of mala Jaap early morning on Tulsi beads, remembering the Lord in your mind.

As per astrology, you can also wear Nineteen Mukhi Rudraksha beads. Astrologers believe that Lord Vishnu governs these Rudraksha beads.

Moreover, if you don’t find a 19 Mukhi Rudraksha, you can possess a Seven Mukhi Rudraksha as this represents Goddess Lakshmi, wife of Lord Jagannath. It is because people believe that Goddess Lakshmi visits the Gundicha temple after four days to search for Lord Jagganath. Thus, possessing a 7 Mukhi Rudraksha is highly auspicious.

From this, chanting the Krishna mantras is also of immense value and significance. When you do so, you welcome the blessings of Lord Krishna, along with peace and prosperity in your life.

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