One of the much-awaited Hindu festival, The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2016 will be celebrated from July 6 to July 14, 2016.

The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is the celebration of the Lord Jagannath, who is believed to be the Lord of Universe's journey towards his aunt's house. However, the festival is not associated with any particular denomination of Hinduism entirety. There are plenty of  common aspects with Saivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavaism, Buddhism and Jainism.

The Rath Yatra or Chariot festivalis celebrated every year on the 2nd day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing cycle of the moon) in the month of Asadh of the lunar calendar of India.

The festival of Jagannath Rath Yatra is more than five thousand years old and the most spiritual thing is, the celebration follows all the same rituals from its starting. The festival would not seen any changes. Traditionally, the world renowned festival is celebrated annually in Puri, Odisha, which worshiped lord Jagannatha along with his brother lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra.

One of the four major Hindu shrines, The Jagannath Puri temple, which is situated in the state of Odisha is the foremost epicenter for this festival.

According to the Hindu beliefs, Jagannath Puri temple is called ‘Yamanika Tirtha’ where, the power of ‘Yama’, the god of death has been nullified in Puri due to the presence of Lord Jagannath, popularly known as Lord Krishna, and his siblings lord Balbhadra and deity Shubhadra in the Jagannath Puri temple.

Due to its religious connotation, the tourists across the world visit Puri every year and take part in the celebrations with full enthusiasm.

According to spiritual significance of Katha Upanishad, The festival speaks about Human body as Rath and sarathi or God as driver, who drives the chariot of body to the yatra/journey to material existence or Bhavasagar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the nation on the occasion of Rath Yatra. “On the occasion of Rath Yatra, my warmest greetings to you all. May Lord Jagannath continue to shower his blessings on everyone,” he tweeted.

“May the blessings of Lord Jagannath lead to development of villages, well-being of poor & farmers and take India to new heights of progress,” he added.

Also Read: Sri Jagannath Ratha Yatra in Arizona!

Nandini