Context: The annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra will begin in the temple town of Puri, Odisha on June 27, 2025.
Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Ratha Yatra; Lord Jagannath Temple.
Rath Yatra
- The Ratha Yatra, also known as the Ratha Jatra or chariot festival, is a magnificent Hindu celebration held annually in the city of Puri, Odisha, India.
- It is considered the oldest and largest chariot festival in the Hindu tradition, taking place during the bright half of the lunar month of Ashadh (June or July).
- The festival revolves around the worship of Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu or Krishna, and his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra.
- During the Ratha Yatra, the three deities are ceremoniously pulled in massive wooden chariots from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
- The deities reside in the Gundicha Temple for a week and then return to their abode in the Jagannath temple (Bahuda Yatra).
About Jagannath Temple
- Ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Vishnu.
- The present temple was rebuilt by the king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, Anantavarman Chodaganga, in the 10th century CE.
- Location: Puri, Odisha (eastern coast of India).
- Deities worshipped: Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra
- The idol of Lord Jagannath is made of wood (neem wood, known as Daru) and is ceremoniously replaced every 12 or 19 years by an exact replica.
- The temple is built in the Kalinga Architecture. The temple has distinct sectional structures: Deula, Vimana or Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum).
