We all wait for the annual Car Festival, the famous Rath Yatra of Odisha every year- a celebration that brings people together from India and abroad. The festival carries countless emotions with it. The grand rath yatra which swiftly rolls toward love and harmony is now on.
Every year, as the 9-day-long festival begins, the excitement is at its peak. The joy of the festival becomes irresistible, and people from across the world come all the way to be part of the festival.
The car festival entails several elaborate rituals, which the priests perform with great devotion and fervour. Crowds gather in large numbers to witness the various rituals and festivities, associated with Rath Yatra.
Welcome to Gundicha
If you are a regular visitor to Puri, you must also be familiar with the Gundicha temple, which happens to be one of the oldest temples in Odisha.
If you are keen to delve deeper into the subject, there are a lot of fascinating aspects of the festival that you must know about!
About Gundicha Temple
Gundicha temple, located 3 kms away from the main Jagannath temple draws many devotees towards it. The lush green garden surrounding it makes the place absolutely worth visiting. It is also called the ‘Garden Temple’. As the divine Rath Yatra begins, the three magnificent chariots of the holy trio, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra are taken to Gundicha temple. Lord’s Yatra to Gundicha temple and his stay there for seven days, is an opportunity that the deities get once every year to visit their aunt’s place.
While the deities reside in Gundicha temple, the daily rituals conducted inside the temple are the same as in the Srimandir. The ceremonies begin at 4.30 A.M, followed by the floral decoration of the Lords, arti, and holy offerings.
The trio is seated on the Ratnavedi, a raised platform that elevates up to a height of 4 ft and is 19 ft long. The platform is occupied for seven days during the Rath Yatra festival and remains vacant for the rest of the year.
What’s the Story?
Lord Jagannath, the divine protector of the universe protects his devotees unconditionally. He rewards them with a prize way bigger than what they expect.
It is believed that there was a queen named Gundicha, who was an ardent devotee of Jagga. Lord was immensely pleased by her devotion and promised to visit her home during Rath Yatra.
Another fascinating legend says that Gundicha is the birthplace of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.
The deities visit their birthplace every year on the occasion of Rath Yatra and spend a few days at their maternal aunt’s place, filled with joy.
Adapa Mandapa Darshan
The last three days of the Bahuda Yatra are considered to be highly auspicious. Adapa Mandapa Darshan becomes the highlight of the occasion. Also known as Navami Darshan, the priests perform the Navami Darshan the day before the Bahuda Yatra. The joy of the devotees knows no bounds when they catch a glimpse of the Lord. Adapa Mandapa Darshan has its own charm.
It has been mentioned in several Puranas, such as Skanda Purana, that the devotees who become a part of this darshan are blessed with immense prosperity and happiness. The devotees and their families offer the Mahaprashad to the Brahmins and get their blessings
The preparations finally begin for the trio to return to Srimandir, also called the return Rath Yatra or the Bahuda Yatra. The three deities return back to the Srimandir with millions of devotees surrounding them on the “Bada Danda” and pulling the returning Raths. Like Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra spreads joy and love, with people chanting ‘Jai Jagannath’ in unison!
We all wait for the annual Car Festival, the famous Rath Yatra of Odisha every year- a celebration that brings people together from India and abroad. The festival carries countless emotions with it. The grand rath yatra which swiftly rolls toward love and harmony is now on.
Every year, as the 9-day-long festival begins, the excitement is at its peak. The joy of the festival becomes irresistible, and people from across the world come all the way to be part of the festival.
The car festival entails several elaborate rituals, which the priests perform with great devotion and fervour. Crowds gather in large numbers to witness the various rituals and festivities, associated with Rath Yatra.
Welcome to Gundicha
If you are a regular visitor to Puri, you must also be familiar with the Gundicha temple, which happens to be one of the oldest temples in Odisha.
If you are keen to delve deeper into the subject, there are a lot of fascinating aspects of the festival that you must know about!
About Gundicha Temple
Gundicha temple, located 3 kms away from the main Jagannath temple draws many devotees towards it. The lush green garden surrounding it makes the place absolutely worth visiting. It is also called the ‘Garden Temple’. As the divine Rath Yatra begins, the three magnificent chariots of the holy trio, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra are taken to Gundicha temple. Lord’s Yatra to Gundicha temple and his stay there for seven days, is an opportunity that the deities get once every year to visit their aunt’s place.
While the deities reside in Gundicha temple, the daily rituals conducted inside the temple are the same as in the Srimandir. The ceremonies begin at 4.30 A.M, followed by the floral decoration of the Lords, arti, and holy offerings.
The trio is seated on the Ratnavedi, a raised platform that elevates up to a height of 4 ft and is 19 ft long. The platform is occupied for seven days during the Rath Yatra festival and remains vacant for the rest of the year.
What’s the Story?
Lord Jagannath, the divine protector of the universe protects his devotees unconditionally. He rewards them with a prize way bigger than what they expect.
It is believed that there was a queen named Gundicha, who was an ardent devotee of Jagga. Lord was immensely pleased by her devotion and promised to visit her home during Rath Yatra.
Another fascinating legend says that Gundicha is the birthplace of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.
The deities visit their birthplace every year on the occasion of Rath Yatra and spend a few days at their maternal aunt’s place, filled with joy.
Adapa Mandapa Darshan
The last three days of the Bahuda Yatra are considered to be highly auspicious. Adapa Mandapa Darshan becomes the highlight of the occasion. Also known as Navami Darshan, the priests perform the Navami Darshan the day before the Bahuda Yatra. The joy of the devotees knows no bounds when they catch a glimpse of the Lord. Adapa Mandapa Darshan has its own charm.
It has been mentioned in several Puranas, such as Skanda Purana, that the devotees who become a part of this darshan are blessed with immense prosperity and happiness. The devotees and their families offer the Mahaprashad to the Brahmins and get their blessings
The preparations finally begin for the trio to return to Srimandir, also called the return Rath Yatra or the Bahuda Yatra. The three deities return back to the Srimandir with millions of devotees surrounding them on the “Bada Danda” and pulling the returning Raths. Like Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra spreads joy and love, with people chanting ‘Jai Jagannath’ in unison!
