RITUALS OF CAR FESTIVAL OF PURI
The most celebrated and respected festival of Odisha is the Ratha Yatra or the Car Festival of Puri. Ratha Yatra is the festival which consists many rituals. The following rituals performed on the day of Ratha Yatra from early morning till the deities reach and enter into Gundicha temple.
Morning Rituals (inside the Temple)
Arati, Avakasha, Rosa homa (puja in the temple kitchen), Surya and Dwara pala Puja, Sakala dhupa (morning offering-specially cooked food), Mangal arpana, Doralagi, Puspanjali and Tuli offering, Mailam lagi, unfastening of deities and preparation for pahandi.
Pahandi (from the Sanctum to the Chariot)
The journey of the deities to the world outside, starts with a spectacular royal
procession called Pahandi Bije. This Pahandi procession of the deities is in a row
and is known as 'Dhadi Pahandi' or a group movement. In Dhadi Pahandi procession
the deities take rest whenever required during the journey to their respective chariots.
All the deities move simultaneously one after the other in close succession. First
Lord Sudarshana, then Balabhadra, then Subhadra and lastly Lord Jagannath are taken
out from the inner Sanctum. At the sata pahacha (seven steps), northern exit from the dancing hall,
the three deities assemble and receive giant floral crowns, called Tahias. Then
the deities are literally pulled, pushed and dragged in rhythmic movement with the
accompaniment of the beat of cymbals, drums and chanting of their names in chorus
by devotees. Lord Sudarshana & Subhadra are carried on the shoulders but Balabhadra
& Jagannath are carried all the way with little pauses in forward and backward motions.
The deities are ushered through the Pata Agana, Ananda Bazar, inner lion’s gate,
Baishi Pahacha, lion’s gate gumuta, Aruna Stambha and finally to their respective
chariots.
Detailed information about Pahandi Bije
Pre-ride Rituals
When the deities are installed in their respective Rathas,the following rituals are observed on the eve of commencement of the journey.
(i) Chaka Apasaras - Circular cushions are provided to the deities.
(ii) Proxy divinities - Madanamohana, Rama and Krishna are brought from the
Jagannath Temple and placed in Nandighosha and Taladhwaja respectively.
(iii) Two big chests containing provisions, raiment and other necessary articles
for use of the deities during the journey and sojourn, are kept on the chariots.
(iv) Chita Lagi - Special head ornaments made of thermocol and studded
with artificial gems, flower decorations and pata vastra are provided to the deities.
A cocoanut sent by the villagers of Baligaon Dasia Bauri is also presented to Lord
Jagannath.
(v) Chhera Pahanra - Moping of the chariot platform by the King of Puri.
The King comes from the palace in a richly decorated palanquin, offers garlands,
performs arati, pays reverential salute, fans the deity by golden flywhisk, and
sweeps the chariot platform round the deity. He holds a golden broom in his hand
and other Sevayatas meant for this purpose remain present there to throw flowers
on the space of the chariot for sweeping purpose by the king. Thereafter fragrant
sandal water is sprinkled on the surface of the chariots to sanctify them. It is
an exciting scene for which devotees wait eagerly despite the scorching heat or
rain as the case may be that happen on that day. It is because King of Puri is regarded
as Vishnu and to witness the king along with Lord Jagannath on chariots is believed
that all sins of a devotee are washed away. The Chhera Pahanra act signifies that
there is no distinction between the king and a sweeper. The King, as the foremost
servitor performs the ignorable job of a sweeper as a mark of utmost humility in the
presence of the Lord of the Universe.
Nandighosa Chariot
Taladhwaja Chariot
Devadalana Chariot
(vi) Sarathi Lagi - Three wooden charioteers one for each chariot are then
fastened on to the chariots.
(vii) Charamala Phita - Wooden flights of stairs to the chariots
are taken out.
(Viii) Ghoda Lagi – Four wooden horses to each chariot are yoked.
(ix) Pulling of the chariots & start of the journey.
The Journey
The chariot of Balabhdra (Taladhwaja) moves first, followed by the chariot of Goddess Subhadra (Darpadalana). The chariot of Lord Jagannatha (Nandighosha) moves in the last. Lakhs of devotees, men, women, young and old irrespective of caste, creed and nationality scramble eagerly for a touch of the 250 feet holy coir cables to pull the chariots along the 3km. long Grand road to the terminal point at the Gundicha temple. The devotees are also assisted by the professional chariot pullers. During the journey, the deities are presented with holy offerings on behalf of various Mathas and institutions.
Sudarshan is seated by the side of the Subhadra in her Chariot. Madanmohan, a representative deity of Lord Jagannath sits in the chariot of Lord Jagannath. Two other small idols, Rama and Krishna take their seats in the chariot of Lord Balabhadra. These small idols are made of metal. So a total of 7 Deities namely Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshan, Madanmohan, Rama and Krishna are seated on three chariots during Car Festival and moved to Gundicha temple.
Upon Arrival
After the chariots reached and parked in front of the Gundicha temple
(i) The deities undergo a ceremonial bath
(ii) They are dressed in Boirani cloth
(iii) Various offerings are made i.e. bhoga, arati, badasimhara dhupa and
khandua lagi, etc
The deities stay in the chariots in the night to the next day evening. Adapa Mandapa Bije ritual will be celebrated next day evening.
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