Ratha Jatra 2024

As the chariots starts rolling, the hymns and chants reach a crescendo; a million hands go up seeking blessings from the ine. Such is the aura of the world famous Ratha Jatra or Chariot Festival as it’s known that the temple town of Puri turns into a sea of humanity, where people of all caste, creed and religion congregate to catch a glimpse of the Lord Jagannath and his siblings.As per deion in the Skanda Purana, among the twelve Jatras of Shree Jagannatha, Ratha Jatra or Shree Gundicha Jatra is considered the most famous one.According to 'Bamadev Samhita' those who can witness the four deities on the Simhasana (the sacred seat) of Gundicha Temple for a week, they along with their ancestors would get a place in the heavenly abode i.e. Baikuntha for all time to come. As per this text those who can hear about this great festival, they also get the desired result. Besides this, those who study the rituals of the ine festival and make others aware of the same they can also get a place in his holy abode.The Ratha Jatra of the 'four deities' takes place on the 2nd day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha for the overall well-being of the mankind In the Skanda purana it has been described that no festival of Mahaprabhu is more important than that of the Shree Gundicha Jatra.Because Shree Hari the supreme Lord of the cosmos rides & his chariot in a very delightful mood to the Gundicha Temple to fulfill His pledged command.As the chariot is a symbol of "Sandhini Sakti" mere touch of the chariot would confer compassion of Lord Shree Jagannatha on the devotees. The famous verse in this context is as follows:"Ratha tu Vamanam drustva purnarjanma na vidyate."