12:27 | Posted by por AMC

Começa hoje o festival hindu de Rath Yatra


O festival hindu de Rath Yatra, ou 'festival das carruagens', é celebrado na cidade santa de Jagannatha Puri, na Índia, há milhares de anos. Trata-se de uma das celebrações religiosas mais antigas do mundo. A foto foi tirada em Orissa onde, desde ontem, decorrem algumas das maiores festividades.
Krishna, a irmã mais nova e Balabhadra e Subhadra, o seu irmão mais velho, são transportados em gigantescos carrors-andores, ornamentados de forma deslumbrante, para os principais templos da cidade – com particular destaque para o Templo Puri Jaganath –, após vários rituais que perduram por mais de um mês.

Festival Espiritual de Ratha-yatra

O festival mais famoso, o Ratha-yatra, ou o festival das carruagens, tem sido celebrado na cidade santa de Jagannatha Puri, Índia, por milhares de anos, tornando-o uma das celebrações religiosas mais antigas do mundo.
A procissão de Ratha-yatra tem como modelo o milenar festival do mesmo nome em Orissa, Índia, e apresenta três carruagens belamente ornamentadas, pesando cinco toneladas e medindo dezesseis metros. Com seus reluzentes dosséis de seda colorida, os veículos de madeira com torres elevadas são puxados bem devagar numa fila única através de uma multidão de milhares de pessoas. Elefantes decorados, carros alegóricos, dança e canto, fazem parte da ocasião festiva. Em todas as comemorações de Ratha-yatra nas diversas partes do mundo, as pessoas presentes ao festival assistem a uma grande variedade de eventos e exibições culturais. As apresentações incluem peças de teatro, músicas, danças, belas artes e exibições primorosa sobre reencarnação, vegetarianismo e ciência védica. Além disso, às centenas de milhares de visitantes é servido um autêntico banquete contendo diversos tipos de preparações.
Em 1968, o fundador-acharya da ISKCON, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, organizou na cidade de São Francisco, nos Estados Unidos, o primeiro Ratha-yatra do Ocidente. Hoje em dia este antiquíssimo festival religioso é realizado todos os anos em diversas das maiores cidades do mundo, incluindo Nova Iorque, Los Angeles, Washington, Londres, Paris, Zurique, Calcutá e Sidney.

Quem é o Senhor Jagannatha?


Uma das formas de Deidade que mais causam espanto é a do Senhor Jagannatha, Baladeva e Subhadra, como encontramos em muitos Templos do Brasil. Aqui vamos descrever a história por trás desta surpreendente forma de Krishna, Seu irmão e Sua irmã.
A muitos milhares de anos um rei chamado Indradyumna reinava uma província chamada de Malava. O rei era muito piedoso e buscava pela linda forma azulada do Senhor que através dos sábios tanto tinha ouvido falar. Certa noite o Senhor se aproximou dele num sonho e lhe informou que logo estaria chegando na forma de um tronco. O Senhor lhe disse que achando esse tronco transcendental sua forma deveria ser esculpida e adorada de acordo com as escrituras reveladas, como era o costume.
No dia seguinte, Indradyumna de fato achou o tronco boiando num rio sagrado. Mas apesar de todo o esforço ninguém era capaz de esculpir o tronco, pois todas ferramentas simplesmente quebravam, sem fazer qualquer marca no tronco. Finalmente, Indradyumna teve que chamar Vishvakarma, o grande arquiteto dos semideuses.
Porém, Vishvakarma impôs uma condição ao aceitar o serviço. Disse que sua meditação não poderia ser interrompida, não importasse quanto tempo levaria. E que se alguém entrasse no quarto onde estava esculpindo as Deidades imediatamente ele iria desaparecer sem completar o serviço. Sem alternativa, Indradyumna aceitou.
Mas com o passar do tempo, a sua impaciência ficou intolerável e, encorajado por sua esposa, ele entrou para ver como andava o trabalho. Imediatamente o escultor sumiu, conforme tinha falado. Mas ele deixou para trás três imagens meio acabadas: Jagannatha, Subhadra e Baladeva. Devido ao grande amor e devoção de Indradyumna, ele mesmo assim apreciou imensamente o resultado, proclamando que de fato o escultor tinha captado a essência do Senhor. Portanto, mesmo aparecendo inacabado, sem pés, mãos, etc., Ele estava espiritualmente completo. Todos santos e escrituras Vaishnavas atestam a esse fato. E assim a forma do Senhor Jagannatha, Subhadra e Baladeva tem sido adorada a muitos milhares de anos. Dizem também que Krishna assumiu essa forma para poder melhor apreciar e captar a linda forma de Srimati Radharani, por isso tem olhos tão grandes.
Conheça o famoso Festival Ratha-yatra onde o Jagannath, Subhadara e Baladeva desfilam pelas ruas dando Suas benções a todos na seção Festivais Espirituais.


via Krishna.com

Rathyatra - Chariot Festival - Orrisa


This spectacular chariot festival celebrated for 8 days is held at the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri (Orissa). Thousands of devotees flock to Puri during the occasion, as they believe that a glimpse of Lord Jagannath in his chariot gives salvation. Images of Lord Jagannath - the Lord of the Universe, his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra are taken out in a procession in three immense chariots. The main chariot is 14 meters high and 10 meters square with 16 wheels.
Thousands of devotees pull these chariots to Gundicha Mandir, a temple 3 km away. After a week, on 'Ashadha Sukla Dasami', the 10th day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha (June-July), return journey or 'Bahuda Yatra' of the deities commences in the same manner from Gundicha temple to the main temple like Rath Yatra.When two months of Ashadha fall in one year, Rath Yatra is observed as the festival of 'Nabakalebar' the old deities are buried within the temple premises ('Koilibaikuntha') and are replaced by new deities, carved out of Margosa trees for which there are set procedures. Double Ashadha occurs at intervals of 8 to 19 years. Construction of the chariots begin as early as April.
Jagannath Rath Yatra or the' chariot journey of Lord Jagannatha', observed in the month of Ashadha (June-July), is a festival that celebrates the annual visit of the God to his birthplace. The Jagannath Temple at Puri, Orissa is the venue for all celebrations. Several lakh people converge at Puri for this festival. An atmosphere of almost hysterical devotion prevails on this day and in earlier years; devotees were known to have thrown themselves under the wheels of the rath in the hope of obtaining instant salvation.
Images of Jagannath, as Lord Krishna is known, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, are taken in giant chariots to Gundicha Ghar. They stay there for a week and then return to the temple. On their journeys they are accompanied by a huge procession of people, singing and celebrating.
The Legends behind the Yatra The festival has been celebrated since ancient times. According to a legend about its origin, Jagannatha is said to have expressed his desire to visit his birthplace every year for a week. Accordingly, the deities are taken to the Gundicha Mandir every year.
According to another legend, Subhadra wanted to visit Dwarka, her parent's home, and her brothers took her there on this day. The Yatra is a commemoration of that visit.
According to the Bhagavad Purana, it is believed that it was on this day that Krishna and Balarama went to Mathura to participate in a wrestling competition, at Kansa's invitation.
Some Hindus believe that Jagannatha is an incarnation of Vishnu. Since Vishnu has four arms, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshana represent Vishnu's four arms. Each deity has its own massive chariot, which are replicas of the temple. Jagannatha's chariot, Nandighosha, is yellow in color, 45 ft high and has 16 wheels, each one seven feet in diameter. About 4,200 devotees draw the chariot. Balabhadra's chariot is called Taladhvaja, is blue in color and has 14 wheels. Subhadra's chariot is the smallest, with 12 wheels and is called Deviratha.
Origin of the chariot rideAccording to a legend, when a poisonous arrow accidentally killed Krishna, his body was left under a tree. Later, someone cremated him and placed the ashes in a box. Directed by Vishnu, Indradyumna requested the divine artisan Vishvakarma to mould an image from the holy relics. Vishvakarma agreed to undertake the task, provided that he was left undisturbed till its completion. When several years passed, Indradyumna became impatient and went to see how work was progressing. Enraged, Vishvakarma left the image incomplete. Indradyumna had ordered the construction of a temple to house the statue. So he ordered his chariot to transport the statue, as it was, to the temple. There, Brahma breathed life into the image.
The Rituals On the day of the journey, people get up early and offer prayers to Jagannatha. The chariots are lined up in front of the Puri temple. The King of Puri with great pomp and ceremony then brings the deities to their respective chariots. Devotees offer prayers to the deities. Descendants of the King, heralded by gaily-caparisoned elephants sweep the chariot platforms with a gold-handled broom and sprinkle scented water to demonstrate that in the eyes of God, all men are equal. Devotees also hurl obscenities and profane abuses at the God.
Locals believe that there existed an incestuous relationship between Jagannatha and his sister Subhadra, which provoked abuses when the images were out in public. The entire yatra is a symbolic humanization of God and an attempt to bring God down from his pedestal of glory to a more human level.
Only the King of Puri and the King of Nepal are allowed to touch the idols as they belong to the Chandravanshi dynasty, the same as Krishna. Then the teeming pilgrims line up and pull the chariot.
When the chariots reach the summerhouse, the idols are installed. The journey back, a week later, consists of another ritual, known as Phera Rath Yatra.Every year, the chariots are broken down, its wood sold as relics and a replica made. However the images of the deities are preserved. It is only when two Ashadha months occur one after the other that the images are changed. This happens once in 12 or 24 years. The ceremony, Naba Kalebar, consists of burying the old images inside the temple. Then new images are created. This practice stems from the belief that in such a year, everything in the universe changes form, and therefore Jagannatha receives the same treatment.
This day is a public holiday in the state. Children are seen on the streets carrying miniature versions of the chariots with tiny idols installed on them. Shops and houses are decorated with flowers, lights and rangoli. Special dishes and sweets are prepared. Most people refrain from eating non-vegetarian food. As this festival falls during the monsoon season, people also thank the Gods for their mercy and bounty, by participating in the procession. Nowhere else is a deity, once consecrated, taken out of the temple. The Jagannatha Temple at Puri is the sole exception to this general rule. In fact during the Ratha Yatra, the chariots become mobile temples, which sanctify the city.

via Festivals of India

Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra Festival in Orissa

Rath Yatra or Ratha Jatra is the massive Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannath celebrated at the Sree Jagannath Temple with a great zeal and religious fervor in the holy land of Puri in Orissa, India. Celebrated to honor Lord Jagannath (Lord Krishna), the presiding deity of Puri, this remarkable Hindu Car Festival lasts for around eight to ten days. Puri Ratha Yatra is the grand culmination of a series of festivities, celebrated on the second day of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashada (June - July), the fourth month in the traditional North India Hindu calendar. In 2010, Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra commences on the 13th July 2010 (Tuesday) and Return Car Festival Bahuda Jatra (Bahuda Yatra) on 21st July 2010 (Wednesday).

Highlights of Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra Festival

During the annual Rathyatra, the three deities - Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balarama and Goddess Subhadra, with the celestial wheel Sudarshana, are taken out from the temple in a ritual procession to their respective chariots. The huge decorated chariots are drawn by millions of devotees to the Puri Gundicha Temple, situated about 2 km from Shree Jagannatha Temple. This festival is also known as Gundicha Jatra, Ghosa Jatra, Navadina Jatra and Dasavatara Jatra. The deities return to their abode after a stay for seven days.

The Chariots used for Jagannath Rath Yatra

Every year, the three chariots of Balarama, Subhadra and Lord Jagannath are newly built. Lord Jagannatha’s Chariot, called Nandighosa, is forty-five feet high and forty-five feet square at the wheel level. Its sixteen wheels are decorated with a cover made of red and yellow cloth.



Taladhwaja, the Chariot of Lord Balarama, is forty-four feet and has a Palm Tree on its flag. It has fourteen wheels which are covered with red and blue cloth. The Chariot of Subhadra is known as Dwarpadalana. It is forty-three feet high with twelve wheels and is decked with a covering of red and black cloth. Black color is traditionally associated with Shakti and the Mother Goddess.

There are nine Parsva devatas found around each of the chariots. These are painted wooden images representing different deities on the chariots’ sides. All the chariots are attached to four horses which are of different colors. White colors for Balarama, dark ones for Jagannatha, and red ones for Subhadra. A charioteer called Sarathi.is there for each chariot.

Chandan Jatra - The Sandalwood Paste Festival

The construction of the chariots starts on Akshaya Tritiya, the third day of the bright fortnight of Vaisakha. Known as the sandalwood festival or Chandan Yatra (Chandana Yatra), this auspicious day marks the beginning of the summer festival of the deities, which lasts for three weeks. During Chandan Yatra festival, the representative images of the presiding deities are taken out in colorful processions. They are given a ceremonial boat ride in the Narendra tank for 21 consecutive days.

Snana Jatra
Snana Yatra festival marks the culmination of the sandalwood festival. Snana Jatra or the Bathing Festival is held on the full moon day of the month of Jestha. In this festival, the three deities are taken to Snana Badi, a bathing platform, where the deities are ceremonially bathed with 108 pitchers of water.

Subsequently, the deities are made to rest inside the sanctum sanctorum and undergo treatment in which special ayurvedic medicine and some special liquid diet (sarapana) is offered to them. They are closed to public view for 15 days and the pilgrims would have a darshan of images on the Pattachitra paintings hanged there. After this period of isolation, the deities come out of the temple in a colorful procession to board their respective Chariots. From then on begins the journey known as "Ratha Jatra”.

Ratha Yatra

The deities are then seated in their respective chariots. A ceremony called Chera Pahara, the ritual of sweeping of the chariots is held with a golden broom by the Gajapati King of Puri. The king arrives on a richly decorated palanquin from his palace. The procession then starts with Balabhadra's chariot, followed by Subhadra and then the Lord Jagannath's, pulled by large numbers of devotees to the Gundicha Ghar. On the way, deities are offered a special Cake called Podapitha, at the shrine of Goddess Aradhamsini.

After reaching Gundicha Mandir, the deities give darshan to devotees every day. They stay there for eight days and then return to Jagannath Temple with a similar procession. This is called Bahuda Yatra which is held on the tenth day of bright fortnight of Ashada month. The three chariots arrive at the Singhadwara in the late afternoon of the Bahuda day. On the next day, the Bada Ekadasi, the three deities are attired in costumes of gold ornaments and are worshipped by devotees. This form of the deities is known as the Suna Vesha or Bada Tadhau Vesha. The three deities go back to their original place of the temple, the Ratna Singhasana (Ratna Slnghasana), on the Dwadasi day. The arrival of deities into the sanctum sanctorum marks the end of the Rathajatra festival.

How to reach Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra Festival Location

By Flight

Biju Patnaik Airport at Bhubaneshwar, about 60 km away, is the nearest airport to reach Jagannath Temple.

By Train

Puri Railway Station is well connected with all the major cities of India.

By Road

Puri is well connected with other major towns and cities in India. Puri Bus Station is about 1 km from the Puri Railway Station. Regular buses connect Puri to Konark, Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Taptapani, Sambalpur, Kolkata and other nearby towns and cities.

via Hindu Devotional Blog

Cf. também:


# Rathyatra.net | Rathayatra.uk | Rathyatra.org
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