INDIAN DIASPORA TRADITION AND CULTURE
near the Jagannath Temple
. Construction always
commences on the occasion
of Akshaya Tritiya. In 2019, it
occurs on May 7.
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About 18 days before the
Ratha Yatra festival starts,
the three idols are given a
ceremonial bath with 108
pitchers of water. This is
known as Snana Yatra and it
takes place on the full moon
in the Hindu lunar month of
Jyeshtha (known as Jyeshtha
Purnima). In 2019, it falls on
June 17. It’s believed that
the deities become sick after
the bath. Hence, they’re
kept out of public view until
they appear, dressed and
renewed, on the new moon in
Ashadha (known as Ashadha
Amavasya). In 2019, it falls on
July 2.
The occasion is called
Navajouban Darshan.The
Ratha Yatra is a community
festival. People don’t worship
in their houses or fast.When
the gods return from their
journey, they’re decorated
and adorned with ornaments
of pure gold and given a
nourishing drink, before
being placed back inside the
Jagannath Temple.
An entertaining comic scene is
enacted for onlookers, as part
of the grand finale. Goddess
Lakshmi is angry that her
husband, Lord Jagannath,
has stayed away for so long
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without inviting or informing
her. She closes the doors of
the temple on him, locking
him out. Finally, he manages
to placate her with sweets,
and she relents and lets him
enter.
Important Ratha
Yatra Ritual Dates
For 2019:
Sri Gundicha: July 4;
Placement of the deities in
the chariots and journey to
Gundicha Temple. The first
chariot to move is that of
Lord Balabhadra. Next is
Subhadra’s, and last Lord
Jagannath’s. Pulling of the
chariots starts at 4 p.m. after
the relevant rituals have been
completed.
Hera Panchami: July 8;
Goddess Lakshmi, the wife
of Lord Jagannath, gets
concerned because he hasn’t
come back. Irritated, she goes
to Gundicha Temple to find
him and see what’s going on.
Devotees carry the deity in a
palanquin to the temple.
Bahuda Yatra: July 12;
The grand return journey to
the Lion’s Gate entrance of
Jagannath Temple. Rituals
take place from noon to 2 p.m.
The chariots are drawn in
reverse order, commencing at
around 4 p.m.
Suna Besha: July 13;
Decoration of the deities in
gold ornaments. This ritual
was introduced during the