LAKSHMI IYER
India Post News Service
FREMONT, California: After the success of Punah Pranprathishtha or the re-establishment of divine life energy in the idols, THE Fremont Hindu Temple is all set to host Sri Jagannath Rathyatra Festival July 6.
The Rathayatra comprises four celebrations starting with Snana Yatra which was held on June 16 that falls on the full moon (‘Purnima’) of the Hindu calendar month of Jyeshtha and marks the birthday of Lord Jagannath, when Lord Krishna first appeared as Jagannath.
The idols of Lord Jagannath, his older brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra are bathed in 108 pots of water. After this ritual, they fall ill so they are kept in the anansaraghar (recovery chamber) and their original place is adorned with patachitras (traditional Oriya paintings). Only roots, berries and certain uncooked foods are offered to them by designated people. It is said that the trio recovers after 14 days of rest with a restricted diet and
Ayurvedic medicines.
Puri is a holy city in the eastern Indian state of Odisha and is famous all over the world for its annual Rathyatra (chariot festival). It is a widely
broadcasted event that attracts millions of devotees and tourists each year.
The Rathayatra is held during the Hindu calendar month of Ashadha on the second day of the waxing moon fortnight. The Puri Jagannath idols are very different from many other Indian temple deities in appearance.
The annual Rathyatra is reportedly the oldest such procession in the world. Unlike other temples, the main deities are taken out on the streets, thus Lord Jagannath is the only deity who goes out to see his devotees.
Thousands of people help to pull colorful chariots housing the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra.
(Additional inputs by Reena Patnaik Rao)
