Story Teller: Complete Day Wise Jagannath Ratha Jatra Rituals With Myths And Scriptural References

Bengali Version

The Jagannath Ratha Jatra (Chariot Festival) is one of the most celebrated and sacred festivals in Hinduism, held annually in Puri, Odisha. This majestic event marks the journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, their aunt’s abode.

Spanning over 9-10 spiritually vibrant days, the festival is deeply rooted in the Puranic scriptures and filled with divine leelas, rituals, emotions, and mythological significance.

🪔 Why Ratha Jatra is Celebrated

Ratha Jatra is symbolic of Lord Krishna’s longing for Vrindavan, where he once lived joyfully with the Gopis and Radha. This grand festival is not just a procession, but a living embodiment of the Lord’s pastimes (Leelas), showcasing devotion, humility, divine emotion, and spiritual union.

🛕 Day-Wise Rituals of Jagannath Dev Ratha Jatra

📅 Day 1 – Ratha Jatra Begins (Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya)

Event Name: Pahandi Bije and Chhera Pahara
Key Events:
- Deities are brought from the sanctum in a grand ceremonial procession called Pahandi Bije.
- Placed on their respective chariots: Nandighosa (Jagannath), Taladhwaja (Balabhadra), Darpadalana (Subhadra).
- Gajapati King of Puri performs Chhera Pahara (golden broom ritual).
- Chariots are pulled by lakhs of devotees towards Gundicha Temple.
Mythical Significance:
- Symbolizes Lord Krishna's journey to Vrindavan to meet his devotees.
- The Lord desires to be among his bhaktas (devotees), outside the formalities of the temple.

📅 Day 2 – Agyan Mala / Chariot Rest Day

Event Name: Agyan Mala Ritual
Key Events:
- Deities rest outside the Gundicha Temple overnight.
- Priests from Gundicha offer Agyan Mala (garland of command) to welcome the deities.
- Preparations begin inside the temple for the Lords’ stay.

📅 Day 3 – Adapa Mandapa Darshan Begins

Event Name: Adapa Mandapa Darshan
Key Events:
- Deities are placed on the Adapa Mandapa, a sanctified platform inside Gundicha.
- Public darshan begins with simple bhoga rituals like Poda Pitha and Dalma.
- The ambiance becomes one of love and simplicity, like Krishna’s Vrindavan home.
Mythical Significance:
- Lord Jagannath relives the joys of Vrindavan, away from royal rituals, basking in pure love and bhakti.

📅 Day 4 – Seva and Rituals at Gundicha Continue

Event Name: Adapa Mandapa Rituals
Key Events:
- Daily Naivedya (food offering) and Snana (bathing rituals) continue in a home-like environment.
- Devotees experience the Lord in his most accessible and relaxed form.
- Devotional singing and scriptural recitations fill the temple.
Spiritual Meaning:
- The Lord acts as a beloved child or friend, enjoying maternal care and devotee love.

📅 Day 5 – Hera Panchami (Ashadha Shukla Panchami)

Event Name: Hera Panchami
Key Events:
- Mahalaxmi Devi visits Gundicha Temple in a palanquin, furious for being left behind.
- She symbolically breaks a part of Jagannath’s chariot (usually Nandighosa).
- Returns through a secret path, expressing divine feminine emotion.
Mythical Significance:
- Represents divine leela of jealousy and love.
- Reflects the emotional bond and balance in relationships, even among gods.

📅 Day 6 – Secret Sevas and Meditative Silence

Event Name: Inner Rituals at Gundicha
Key Events:
- Day is spent in quiet meditation, secret rituals, and devotional reading.
- Believed to be the night of Rasa Lila of Krishna with Radha and Gopis.
Spiritual Significance:
- A day of internal transformation, reflection, and divine presence in every heart.
- Lord prepares for the Bahuda Yatra (return).

📅 Day 7 – Bahuda Yatra (Ashadha Shukla Dashami)

Event Name: Bahuda Yatra
Key Events:
- Return journey from Gundicha Temple to Jagannath Temple begins.
- Chariots are again pulled by devotees with equal fervor.
- Deities rest outside the main temple for one more night.
Mythical Context:
- Symbolizes Lord Krishna’s return to Dwaraka from Vrindavan, parting from the Gopis.

📅 Day 8 – Suna Besha (Golden Attire Festival)

Event Name: Suna Besha / Rajarajeswara Besha
Key Events:
- The deities are dressed in golden ornaments, including crowns, armlets, and garlands.
- The grandest darshan of Jagannath as Rajarajeshwara (King of Kings).
Spiritual Significance:
- Reveals Lord’s majestic divinity, reminding devotees of his supreme status.

📅 Day 9 – Niladri Bije

Event Name: Niladri Bije
Key Events:
- Deities re-enter the Jagannath Temple.
- Goddess Mahalaxmi initially blocks the entrance.
- Lord Jagannath offers her Rasagolla, symbolizing reconciliation.
Mythical Significance:
- Reaffirms the power of love, forgiveness, and reunion.
- Celebrated as Rasagolla Dibasa in Odisha.

📚 Scriptural References in Bullet Format

Skanda Purana – Vaishnava Khanda: Detailed descriptions of Jagannath, chariot building, and rituals.
Padma Purana: Describes the Gundicha Yatra and its symbolism.
Brahma Purana: Ritualistic structure of Ratha Jatra and origin stories.
Narada Purana: Highlights Mahalaxmi’s displeasure during Hera Panchami.
Srimad Bhagavatam (10th Canto): Krishna’s life episodes that inspire Ratha Jatra leelas.
Gita Govinda (Jayadeva): Describes Radha-Krishna’s rasa leelas spiritually linked with this yatra.
Jagannath Charitamrita (Sarala Das): Oriya scripture detailing the emotional and spiritual aspects of the Lord’s journey.
Mahabharata – Udyoga Parva: Narratives of Balarama, reflected during the Taladhwaja procession.

🌺 Spiritual Significance of Ratha Jatra

The Lord’s journey outside the temple is a symbolic message of accessibility – that God comes to His devotees, not the other way around.
Pulling the chariots is symbolic of pulling God into our hearts.
The chariots represent the human body, the ropes symbolize devotion, and the journey symbolizes the soul’s journey toward salvation.

🌟 Conclusion

The Jagannath Ratha Jatra is more than just a cultural event—it is divine drama, spiritual metaphor, and bhakti in motion. Each ritual reflects the leela of the divine, teaching us love, detachment, humility, and ultimately, union with the Supreme Being.

Whether you witness it in person or spiritually connect from afar, this sacred festival reminds us that God walks with us, rides with us, and loves us unconditionally.