Festivals Related to the Jagannath Temple or White Pagoda
It is said that there are twelve important yatras or festivals of Lord Jagannath celebrated in the Shri Jagannath temple, Puri. These twelve festivals are also called ‘Dvadasa Yatra’. But actually, there are many more yatras observed in the Jagannath temple throughout the year. Some important festivals celebrated in the temple are:
- Ratha Yatra: It is the greatest and oldest Yatra, and the Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana, and Kapila Samhita all describe it. Lord Jagannath’s journey to his aunt’s home is commemorated by this Yatra or festival. This festival is held on Asadha Sukla Dwitiya i.e. the second day of the bright fortnight of Asadha (June-July) every year. This festival is also known as Sri Gundicha yatra and Ghosha yatra. On this day, the deities are taken out of the temple and placed in their respective rathas (chariots), kept near the Singha dwara. The deities are carried to the rathas in a traditional ceremonial manner called Pahandi when Lord Balabhadra and Lord Jagannath are made to swing forward and backwards.
- Snana Yatra: It is the bathing ceremony of the deities, celebrated on Jyeshtha Purnima i.e. on the full moon day in the month of Jyeshtha (May-June). The deities are brought out from the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) of the Temple and taken in a traditional procession called Pahandi and placed on the Snanabedi situated in the northeast corner of the Bahara Bedha (outer enclosure).
- Rukmini Harana Ekadasi: The marriage of Lord Krishna and Goddess Rukmini is celebrated on Jyeshtha Sukla Ekadasi i.e. the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha (May-June). On this occasion, the marriage is held between Lord Madana Mohana as Lord Krishna and Goddess Lakshmi as Goddess Rukmini.
- Nabakalebara (new-body ceremony): When the month of Asadha (June-July) happens, the Nabakalebara ceremony of the deities takes place. It is the occasion when the old bodies or images of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, Sudarsana and Nilamadhaba are replaced by new images. This new body change-over ceremony is called the Nabakalebara when the new ones replace old images. Generally, this takes place once every 12 years, but the shortest period is 8 years and the longest is 19 years.
- Karkata or Dakshinayana Sankranti: This festival takes place on the day of Karkata Sankranti. Special acts are performed on this day, as the sun begins to move to the autumnal equinox. Since Surya (Sun) commences his journey to the southern hemisphere, a special Bandapana of the deities is held to mark the occasion.
- Niladri Mahodaya: It is celebrated on the eighth day of the bright fortnight of Baisakh (Between April and May). It is stated that on that day Lord Jagannath was first worshipped in this Kshetra. On this occasion, 108 pots of consecrated water are offered to the deities. Thus, a special bath is performed for the deities.
White Pagoda of India
The Jagannath Temple is located in Puri which is in Odisha state and also known as the ‘White Pagoda‘ of India. Jagannath temple is one of the sacred temples in India and also the most important temple in Odisha. The three gods that reside in the temple are Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. This temple was built by Ananta Varman Chodaganga in the 12th century. Puri has become a most loved tourist destination due to the Jagannath temple on the ocean side. The biggest gathering in puri is seen during the Ratha Yatra festival of Jagannath which happens in June-July month. The temple is one of the holiest Hindu Char Dham (four divine) sites of Puri, others are Rameswaram, Badrinath, and Dwarka.
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