The Chariot that Unites Millions

Jagannatha Ratha Yatra-A universal celebration

The Ratha-Yatra festival — the parade of the chariots of Lord Jagannatha, Subhadra and Balarama — is celebrated every year at the Lord's home in Jagannatha Puri, India, one of the country's oldest temples. The Lord's journey from the Puri temple to the Gundicha temple is the Ratha Yatra, with the three Deities riding in Their chariots: Nandighosha, Taladhwaja and Devadalana. Srila Prabhupada, founder of the worldwide Hare Krishna Movement, popularised the Ratha Yatra globally. Today, devotees on every continent celebrate this unique festival.

Who are Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra?

Lord Jagannatha is Sri Krishna Himself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Baladeva (Balarama) is Krishna's elder brother, and Subhadra is Their sister. These transcendental personalities ride Their chariots, giving millions of devotees the opportunity for darshan. "Jagannath" means "Lord of the Universe" (Jagat = the moving universe; Natha = Lord). He leaves the temple once a year to bestow mercy on those who cannot come to Him — hence He is called Patita Pavana, the purifier of the fallen.

"Rathe ca vamanam drstva punar janma na vidyate — Simply by seeing the Lord on the chariot, one makes advancement toward stopping the repetition of birth and death." — Srila Prabhupada, Ratha-Yatra Address, London, July 16, 1972

Sankaracharya's glorification

Adi Sankaracharya composed the Sri Jagannath Ashtakam, eight verses glorifying the Lord. One verse describes how, as Jagannatha moves along the road on His chariot, assemblies of brahmanas offer prayers at every step, and the Lord — the ocean of mercy and true friend of all worlds — looks favourably upon them.

Why do they have unique forms — Without hands or legs?

Once, Mother Rohini visited Dwaraka and narrated Krishna and Balarama's childhood pastimes to Krishna's queens. Subhadra was posted to guard the door, but Krishna and Balarama themselves arrived and overheard the enchanting narrations. All three became so ecstatic that Their forms transformed — bodies bulged, hands and legs receded, eyes widened. Devarshi Narada glimpsed these forms and requested Their return; the Lords promised They would appear this way again at Jagannath Puri. These forms are Their eternal, transcendental forms.

King Indradyumna builds the puri temple

King Indradyumna, a devoted worshipper of Vishnu, heard a divine voice instructing him to build a temple atop Nila Hill, where the Lord would appear as Daru-brahman — the Absolute Truth in wooden form. He built the temple in the conch-shaped holy abode of Sri Kshetra, extending 60 cubits below ground and rising 120 cubits above, crowned with a golden kalasa and cakra. When Indradyumna asked Lord Brahma to consecrate the site, Brahma replied that Sri Kshetra was self-manifested by the Lord's own potency — beyond his power to install. Brahma instead placed a flag atop the temple, blessing all who see it from a distance and bow down with easy liberation.

Carving the deities

Sculptors' chisels broke against the sacred Daru-brahman log until an old artist — the Supreme Lord Himself in disguise — appeared, offering to carve the Deities if left undisturbed behind closed doors for twenty-one days. After fourteen days of silence, the anxious King broke his promise and opened the doors. Inside, he found the three Deities manifest, Their fingers and toes unfinished — the artist had vanished, being Lord Jagannatha Himself.

Grief-stricken, the King prepared to end his life, but Lord Jagannatha appeared to him in a dream, explaining: "I have no material hands and feet, but with My transcendental senses I accept all offerings of My devotees, and for the world's benefit I move from place to place... My limbs are the ornaments of all ornaments."

What benefit do they bestow?

The Narada Purana explains that simply seeing the Deity fashioned by the Lord Himself at this sacred site allows one to easily attain His abode. Thus Lord Jagannatha delivers the entire universe, riding openly on His cart before the eyes of all.

How to participate in Ratha Yatra

Everyone is invited to render service to the Lord during this festival-Pull the chariot by holding the rope, have darshan of the Lord, witness the arati offered to the Deities,sing and dance before the Lord, clean the area in front of one's house and decorate it with rangoli, offer fruits, flowers, coconuts, sweets and other preparations, honour the prasadam distributed to all

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

-His Grace Sri Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa Prabhuji

                                                                             (M.Tech , IIT Chennai), President, Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON Banjara Hills( Hare Krishna movement-Hyderabad