INDIA, May 31, 2022 (Odisha TV): Puri, popularly known as Jagannath dham, is one of the four divine sites for every Hindu. Here, Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, along with His siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, are worshiped in the world famous temple. For the uninitiated, a total of 148 festivals are celebrated in the temple annually. They include 12 yatras, 28 upayatras and 108 festivals. Of them, Rath Yatra is the most famous. The annual nine-day sojourn of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, which begins on the Dwitiya tithi during Ashadha Shukla Paksha and culminates on July 1st this year, is eagerly awaited because this is the only occasion when the Lord steps out of His sanctum sanctorum to give darshan to the old and the sick and all devotees irrespective of caste, color and religion.
The preparations for the nine-day annual sojourn start early, with the construction of chariots beginning on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya. Lord Jagannath’s chariot is called Nandighosa. While its height is 44.2 feet, it has 16 wheels. Lord Balabhadra’s ratha is called Taladhvaja. Its height is 43.3 feet and it has 14 wheels. Darpadalana is the name of Devi Subhadra’s ratha. While it stands at 42.3 feet, it has 12 wheels. The rituals of Ratha Yatra start much ahead of the Ratha Yatra day. Approximately 18 days before Ratha Yatra, Lord Jagannatha, His brother Balabhadra and His sister Devi Subhadra are given a famous ceremonial bath which is known as Snana Yatra. The Deities are taken out in Pahandi from the sanctum sanctorum to the bathing altar. Then they are given a ceremonial bath. For this, 108 pitchers of herbal and aromatic water are used. The water is drawn from the suna kua (golden well).
Full details of the festival at source.
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