Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra Guide

                Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra Guide

As we are heading towards Bhubaneswar from Delhi on an AirIndia flight.It is June 18th, 2023. The temple of Jagannath Puri is located in the state of Odisha, India,and it is one of the four pilgrimage sites. This journey lasts for nine days, starting from the 20th of this month until the 28th.so today is the 19th, tomorrow is the 20th, and the day after tomorrow, I will cover the whole Puri Rath Yatra.  I have reached Bhubaneswar. It's currently 5:30 PM. We arrived on time I haven't booked a hotel yet, as the hotels seem quite expensive if I go to stay in Puri. Hail Lord Jagannath Wow, I'm so excited!

I have arrived and now I'm heading out. It took me an hour to find a hotel. I hadn't planned on booking a hotel because this was a very sudden plan. I am executing this sudden plan and I am literally feeling so happy that my plan worked out. It means this plan coming together is something miraculous that has happened once again in my life. There's a lot of rush, so much rush at the airport. I initially thought of taking the train from Bhubaneswar to Puri. because the taxi thing is really horrible here UBER and OLA are operating here, but it's not that easy to get a taxi out here. So, friends, these are the roads of Bhubaneswar We are heading towards Puri, which is a distance of 65 kilometers to reach Puri. I have learned that a 10-lane road is being constructed, and that highway will cover the distance from Bhubaneswar to Puri in just 40 minutes. Okay, guys, so I have reached my hotel, and it's been 10:00 PM now. I have taken a room in the Seven Hills Hotel. I got a good deal; otherwise, the rates here are quite high. I mean the one who has 1000, has 4000, has 5000 But I got it for Rs 2000/-per day and I am staying here for 2 days. There's a lot of humidity, and it has rained here recently, so the humidity has increased. Okay, so this is the garden area, and the hotel is quite decent. It's a little towards the inner side, but the beach is right next to it. My room is on the second floor, Room 2034, and this is my room. There's even a mini fridge. Here is the view from the balcony of my hotel. Jai Jagannath Ji Today, I am going to the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, and it's already early morning. I am wearing an Odisha's traditional Jamdani saree with a Padma print on it which is handcrafted, and I feel it looks very beautiful. There wasn't any specific plan to wear it, but I wanted to. and you know how quickly everything happened. But yes, I felt that today is a very auspicious day, and since we are going to an international festival, why not go in our traditional attire? I hope I'm looking good, and thanks to her who helped me in wearing this saree. Abhipsa Priyadarshni Okay, so at the hotel where I am staying, there is an exhibition there. All handmade Sari So, I took an auto-rickshaw from my hotel, and the auto-rickshaw will go wherever entry is allowed, and after that, I'll have to go on foot. The distance from the hotel is approximately 2.7 kilometers, and I can also walk there, but it will take around 30 minutes to walk. The sun is intense and the humidity is high, so I thought of checking with the auto-rickshaw to see how far we can reach.

I have put on a cap as it is very hot, and I just feel that the auto will not leave even 500 meters. now have to walk The government administration has introduced some e-rickshaws ahead. let's hope I get it there So, I have reached the West Gate, and now I need to go towards the East Gate where the chariot procession is about to begin. This you are seeing, is the prasad of Jagannath Ji I need to go from this street to Grand Road, and I have to walk about 500 meters more to reach there. drink water, drink water Look here, there are langars set up. If you come through the lanes, you will see them. The heat has increased a lot right now, even though I'm wearing goggles, I still feel hot, so I took them off. I still can't see Grand Road yet. In Puri, near the Jagannath Temple, you can find such Khajas. The appearance of Khaja remains somewhat similar everywhere, with slight differences in size and shape.

They are made with sugar and various ingredients that go into making Khaja. Right now, an ambulance is approaching here, and water is being sprayed because it's very hot.All the chariots are standing there with Lord Jagannath.The chariots haven't started moving yet because they're getting ready for the arrival of the king.When the king arrives, it is said that he personally sweeps the entire road with a broom,and then the chariot proceeds forward.Because there is intense sunlight, it is possible that some people may feel unwell, and that's why the ambulance is on standby.If anyone faces any trouble, the ambulance will reach them.There are volunteers present here on Grand Road, ready to distribute water to everyone. Jai Jagannath! I'm glad to see that there are many subscribers as well.Thank You, Everyone, I watched your vlog of Kedarnath. My condition worsened, and I had to remove my saree because it got dirty in the mud.I am drinking electrolytes because I am dehydrated.I had a little food and water in the morning, but the crowd is so intense that it was causing suffocation. It's currently 1:26 PM, and the chariot procession hasn't started yet. It's right near the temple, and the preparations are complete.I'm also quite exhausted, and my health is deteriorating a bit. Just mentioning Lord Jagannath's name has given me a little energy. The journey won't start for at least another hour, and then it will begin. To reach Jagannath Puri, you can come by train.All trains go up to Bhubaneswar, and from there, you will need to take an auto-rickshaw or a taxi.Additionally, you can also come by flight to Bhubaneswar. In Puri itself, there is a railway station. If any train goes up to Puri, you can board it. However, please note that only buses are allowed to go up to the bus stand in Puri. Otherwise, you will have to disembark at a station before Puri. We have a devotee with us who came from Shirdi by train yesterday. So, what is your experience? The experience has been good. The train journey was also great although it was a little delayed. How much was the delay? It was delayed by 6 hours. You are witnessing a person who has become unconscious being taken away, and they will be placed in an ambulance somewhere in between. Since when have you been standing here? Since 7 AM? Are you also here? Is everyone standing here since 7 AM?

I am a Senior Havaldar of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police ITBP and this is the organization of which I am the founder. I have been serving the nation along with social service.

We have been running this organization for the past 7 years, and we have around 800 boys who volunteer here. We provide services ranging from ambulance services to providing food to devotees who come here. We have a Clean India program where we take care of any used plates or utensils left behind, and we also ensure that anyone who falls ill is promptly taken to the hospital via ambulance. Alright, friends, I also received Prasad (sanctified food) here, and it is very auspicious. While witnessing the procession of Lord Jagannath's chariot and visiting the temple, people offer coconuts, and now I will have this prasad. I am feeling hungry as well, so I will find a place to sit and eat. I am trying to show you the sights from above.

The atmosphere outside is very exhausting, and this is a religious shrine. I have come up here to take a view. There is still plenty of time; it's currently 2 PM. I have requested these people to allow me some time to shoot from here, and then I will go down. So they have given me a little space. But as you can see, the crowd is overwhelming. Earlier, it was like 1.2 million people had come, but today's data shows that there are 2.5 million people present.

Friends, I am currently at a Dharamshala (religious shelter). I came here to get a top view, which will look good when the chariot is taken out. Then I will also go downstairs and capture the view from there as well. But this Dharamshala, which is located on Grand Road, you can come here too. Are you staying at this Dharamshala as well? Alright. So, how much did you pay to stay at the Dharamshala? You can give me any amount you want, but I paid ₹1000.

For how many days? It has been seven days since I've been staying here. Did you have a glimpse of the deity? Devotee: Yes. Where are you from? Devotee: It's near Bhopal. Look, this is how the Dharamshala looks, and you can stay in the dormitory. They adjust it according to the available space in the rooms. By the way, this time more than 25 lakh people have come to Puri, and this crowd you see is not just random; they are all devotees. They have been wandering around in the sun since 6:00 in the morning. I am also roaming around.

I was exhausted, but I had an electrolyte drink in one place, and then I regained some energy. According to the Skanda Purana, the Jagannath Rath Yatra has been taking place for millions of years, starting from the Sat Yuga. It was during the reign of the second Manu among the 14 Manus This event is organized on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of the Ashadha month. Now, in front of me, Lord Balbhadra's chariot, also known as Taladhwaja, is being pulled. It has fourteen wheels and its height is 39.6 feet, length is 33 feet, and width is 33 feet. The upper part of Balbhadra's chariot is red and green in color, and the gatekeepers are Lord Vasudeva, and the charioteer is Matalli. I am shooting them from this Dharamshala, and it was very difficult for me to shoot from here,but I am getting a great view from here. thought of showing you their procession from above.First, Balbhadra Ji's chariot started its procession. The chariot procession started at three o'clock, and it took a long time. After that, Subhadra Ji's chariot procession will start, followed by Jagannath Ji's chariot procession. Look at Subhadra Devi, who is the sister of Lord Krishna. Her chariot, known as Devadalana, is now passing by us.It has twelvewheels, with a height of 38.4 feet, length of 31 feet, and width of 31 feet. The upper part of Subhadra's chariot is red and black in color. The gatekeepers are Jayadurga Devi, and the charioteer is Arjuna. Finally, Lord Jagannath's chariot, called Nandighosa, is passing by in front of us.

It has sixteen wheels. The chariot's height is 40.5 feet, length is 34.6 feet, and width is 34.6 feet. The upper part of Lord Jagannath's chariot is red and yellow. The gatekeepers are Garuda, and the charioteer is Daruka. There are eight more days left. Our Jagannath Ji is currently going to the Gundicha Temple.

After that, all three chariots will stay there, and tomorrow they will go to their aunt's house.Today, you can see them on the chariot at the Gundicha Temple.Look, Jagannath Ji's chariot is right here, very close to me. He is seated on his horse, which is on that side. For the past three years, it has been like this for me, I mean three times it has been like this. The first time was also during the Amarnath Yatra along with the Jagannath Yatra. The second time was the same way, but not this year. My heart said no, I have to do it, and look, brother. There is high humidity because the sea is nearby, the temple is located on the seashore. When Jagannath Ji leaves the temple and boards his chariot, it takes three hours to reach Gundicha Temple. The leelas (divine plays) of Lord Krishna are infinite. Hail Jagannath! Hail Leeladhar! Did you know that when Lord Krishna was about to leave his mortal body in Dwarka, he only left his physical form and emerged swimmingly in Jagannath Puri.By the way, how did Jagannath Puri come into existence? There was a king in Puri named Indradyumna,who was a great devotee of Lord Jagannath? He desired to keep Lord Jagannath with him, but how could that be possible? After performing rigorous penance, he received a divine vision where the Lord Himself appeared and said that if he desired so, he should build a temple for Him right there. Indradyumna asked how he make the temple? The Lord instructed him to carve a deity from a floating log of wood and install it in the temple. Indradyumna then asked how he should find the wood. The Lord replied that a floating log would come from the ocean. On the seashore, Indradyumna saw the floating log, and it was the same log that contained the life force of the Lord. The question was how to embody that life force into the deity. Several sculptors were called, but none of them had the courage. Now, the question arose as to who would create that deity. In the king's dream, the Lord appeared again and instructed him to worship Vishwakarma. he king worshipped Vishwakarma, and Vishwakarma appeared before the king in the form of a skilled craftsman, as a sculptor. Vishwakarma said, "I will create the deity in 21 days, but my condition is that no one should enter my chamber during these 21 days.anyone enters my chamber, the deity will remain incomplete, and I will not meet anyone." The king agreed to the condition. It had been approximately 15 days, and the queen, Rani Gundicha, used to listen to the sounds coming from the closed chamber every day. After fifteen days, the sounds from the chamber stopped, and the queen became fearful that something might have happened to the sculptor. She wondered if the sculptor had ascended to the heavenly realm without eating or drinking anything. She shared her concerns with the king, and the king immediately opened the chamber door.This is the reason why when we visit Jagannath Puri and see the deities in the Jagannath Temple, all three deities are incomplete. They lack hands and feet. After Vishwakarma disappeared, those very deities are installed in the temple. That is why every 12 years, the deities are changed, and the life force of the Lord is transferred to the new deity, But there is a process for that... During the process of transferring the life force of the deity, no person from outside can enter the temple.Only the main priests inside the temple are the life force of the deities. They extract the life force from the original deity and transfer it to the new deity. Even the priests themselves blindfold their eyes, wear gloves on their hands, and perform the task.So when they extract the life force and transfer it to the new deity, the new deity comes to life.That is why our Jagannath Ji is alive in Jagannath Puri, right here, and that is why people have so much enthusiasm.

Many people, out of curiosity, have asked the priests if they have ever seen it, and their response was

that they cannot see it.They described the sensation of something like a jumping rabbit in their hands.The temple of Jagannath Puri is considered to be very magical.They say that the flag on top of the temple is changed every day,and if the flag is not raised, it would be considered a bad omen.So, every day the flag is raised by the hands of the priest. but there is another miracle: the flag always flutters in the opposite direction of the wind. Also, as soon as you take a step inside the main entrance (Lion's Gate) of the temple you cannot hear the sounds of the ocean waves. This is a very astonishing thing. I am delighted to have received so many subscribers. Thank you very much to all of you,including the event volunteers who were also subscribers. It's great fun and brings happiness when we all come together. From morning till evening, it gets very hot during the Jagannath Rath Yatra. But if you keep your mind positive, stay steady with a sense of devotion, bring some proper food and fruit along, there won't be any problem if you walk. You will find food and drinks available everywhere along the way, and there are numerous food stalls and langars (community kitchens) as well. The expenses here are not too high, the only cost is related to coming here. If you come by train, it's not too expensive, but if you come by flight like me, it becomes quite expensive. At an international level, this is the largest gathering happening on a single road. The Kumbh Mela is also held, which is even larger than this, but it is spread out over a larger area. Here, the crowd is visible on a single road. Out of the four pilgrimage (CHAR DHAM ) sites, I have completed three, and they have all been in a series. I have visited Badrinath Dham and also visited Dwarka. If you haven't seen my vlog, do take a look. And today, I have come to Jagannath Puri, which is the third Dham and the fourth one remaining. Tell me about it. Now, only Rameshwaram is left to visit.As soon as the chariot moved forward, now you will find all the offerings and market items here for people to buy. The entire market has been set up again.

Friends, to participate in this Rath Yatra, a little courage is necessary because it will be very hot. But if your mind is peaceful and you have patience, you can definitely do it. At one point, I won't lie, at one point I was extremely exhausted, and I even told you about it at that time. It felt like I might faint, which had never happened to me before. The heat was unbearable, I mean it was horribly hot. And I ended up on the wrong side where the sun was directly overhead, the scorching heat of 12:30. Okay, guys, along with that, let's all say "Jai Jagannath Ji" and "Jai Jagat Nath Ji." If you liked this blog, then please, if you have visited it, please like it. I have put in a lot of effort. So please like it and if you are new, please subscribe as well, and we will keep on meeting.

Writer,

Naveen Dubey