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This spectacular chariot festival celebrated for 8 days, is held
at the famous Jaganath Temple at Puri (Orissa). Thousands
of devotees flock to Puri during the occasion as they believe
that a glimpse of Lord Jagnath in his chariot gives salvation.
Images of Lord Jaganath - 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. The deities are brought
out of the temple to the chariots by rhythmic movement called
'Pahandi' in a royal procession to the accompaniment of the
beat of the 'cymbals' and drums and chanting of prayers by
devotees.
The pushing and shoving to seat Lord Jagannath on his chariot
continues for hours. The god it seems is testing the perseverance
of his devotees. The devotees in turn coax, cajole, they promise
sweetmeats and other delicacies, when all this fails they
call the Lord names and even give blows to the idol, all the
while the surging crowd chants, sings and dances. It is believed
that on these days Lord Jagannath will descend from his pedestal
and mingle with his devotees with no barrier between them.
After seating the idols, the traditional King of Puri sweeps
the Chariots with a golden broom.
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.
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