Rath
Yatra in Puri - Lord Jagannath is preparing for his annual vacation
to his countryside home along with his brother Balabhadra and sister
Subhadra on the day of Ashadh Sud 2 this year. As in other years, the
deities will be traveling from their coastal home in Puri in their royal
chariots.The "yatra" or journey, will take nine days to cover the distance, after the "Ratha Pratishtha" invoking ceremony in the morning and almost a million pilgrims are expected to throng the route to escort the Lord.
The preparations for the Rath Yatra are on in full swing, with artisans, craftsmen and weavers already engaged in creating a fresh new wooden chariot for the Lord. The 3 chariots for each of the deities, resemble a temple structure reaching almost 45 feet, and are pulled by a rope which is considered lucky amongst pilgrims. . The "darshan" of Lord Jagannatha on the chariot is considered to be very auspicious, and worshippers believe that touching the Lord's vehicle brings prosperity.
The rath yatra festival is also referred to as Gundicha Jatra, Ghosa Jatra, Navadina Jatra or Dasavatara Jatra
