Ratha-Yatra is one of the biggest festivals for the devotees of Lord Jagannath all over the world. Jagannath means lord of the universe. Jagannath Puri in Odisha, India, also known as Purushottama Kshetra, is the abode of Lord Jagannath. It is one of the four most holy places of India. Here, the Supreme Lord is worshiped with His elder brother Balarama and His sister Subhadra. The Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath, held every year on the second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha (June – July), attracts thousands of devotees and pilgrims from all over the world. It is said in the scripture that rathe ca vamanam drstva punar janma na vidyate—One who sees Lord Jagannath on the chariot on the Ratha Yatra day can attain salvation from the cycle of birth and death.
Devotees pull the chariot on the street to take Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Suvadra devi to Gundicha Temple where They stay for 7 days, until the return Ratha-Yatra. Lord Jagannath, during this festivle, comes out on the street, along with Baladeva and Subadra, to shower His mercy upon fallen souls.
Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the initiator of the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord, resided in Jagannatha Puri during the final years of His pastimes on earth. There Lord Chaitanya would take part in the Ratha-yatra every year and chant the holy names and dance in ecstasy.
Following in the footsteps of Lord Chaitanya, Srila Prabhupada introduced Ratha-yatra in ISKCON and now it is an integral part of the Hare Krishna movement. Ratha-yatra plays an important role in uniting all the devotees of Krishna. Ratha-yatra gives a great opportunity to all people to serve the Lordby remembering Him, chanting His holy names, dancing and honoring Krishna prasad.
In all the major cities of the world Ratha-yatra festival is celebrated.
Srila Prabhupada, the Founder Acharya of ISKCON, who introduced and spread Krishna consciousness throughout the western world, desired that Ratha-yatra be celebrated gorgeously throughout the world. The first-ever Ratha-yatra festivle, in the western world, was organized in San Francisco on July 9, 1967. Thereafter, this festival became very popular and spread to many other countries.
For Srila Prabhupada worshiped Lord Jagannatha and performed Ratha-yatra, with his friends, during his childhood. When he was six years old, his father arranged for a small ratha and young Abhay (who later came to be known as Srila Prabhupada) would perform Ratha-yatra in his neighborhood and distribute prasadam to all the children taking part in the festival. From the very beginning of his life Srila Prabhupada conducted Ratha-yatra. What once had been a childhood activity later became a world-wide celebration as Srila Prabhupada effectivly spread Krishna consciousness around the world.
Regarding the significance of Ratha-yatra, Srila Prabhupada describes that once, on the auspicious day ofsolar eclipse, Lord Krishna, riding on a chariot with His elder brother Balarama and younger sister Subhadra, departed from Dwaraka to visit Kurukshetra. Having received the news of Lord Krishna’s visit, the gopis and other inhabitants of Vrindavana also came to Kurukshetra to meet Him. Looking at Krishna in a royal dress, Srimati Radharani implored Him to come to Vrindavana, where they had spent their early days, performing pastimes in the forest. In commemoration of this grand visit of the Lord along with His family, devotees pull the chariot of Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi.
ISKCON Temples of Bangladesh organize the Ratha-yatra Festival every year. We would like to invite you all to participate in the celebrations.
You can see other Festivals. Click Here
