In Odisha, Lord Jagannath along with Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are worshipped as the human form of God. The daily rituals at Puri Shree Mandir is similar to the daily routine life of any common human. Here in this article we will look at the sequence of events that lead to the world famous Rath Yatra aka car festival, its significance and more.

Significance of Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha

Rath Yatra is the annual pilgrimage of Lord Jagannath along with his siblings from Ratna bedi, i.e Puri Shree Mandir to Janma Bedi, his birth place Gundicha temple. Yes, its true, it’s here in Gundicha temple where King Indradyumna appointed Vishwakarma to carve the deities from the sacred log of wood.

As per beliefs, Queen Gundicha, wife of King Indradyumna had unwavering faith in the lord and therefore Lord Jagannath promised the queen to take this annual pilgrimage to his birth place for seven days. Lord of Universe, Kalia Saante as he is lovingly called in Odisha, comes out of his heavenly abode to bless humanity and millions of souls waiting to get a glimpse of those rounded eyes. People from various parts of the world across multiple faiths visit Puri during this time of the year to get a glimpse of this grand festival and immerse themselves in the positive aura surrounding the city.

But do you know the preparation for this grand event starts from Akshaya Tritiya, 2 months prior to the grand celebration.  

Akshaya Tritiya: Construction of Chariots Begins

Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most auspicious and sacred days in Hinduism. Many people select this day to start something new, perform any kind of Puja, do griha prabesh, investments, sowing of rice paddy etc. This day is also believed to be the birthday of Lord Parashurama, 6th avatar of Lord Vishnu.

After receiving the agyaan maala (sacred garland) from the temple, maharanas (carpenters) start the work of transforming wooden logs into grand chariots. The woods are selected from the forest of Daspalla in Nayagarh district, Odisha. Phasi, Bhaunra and Asana trees are selected for construction as they are known for robustness, resistance to termites, softness and durability. The construction takes place in the Rath Khala (chariot yard) in the grand road near to the main entrance (Lion Gate) of the Shree Mandir.

Snana Purnima: The Sacred Bathing Ceremony of the Deities

3 deities along with Lord Sudarshan are brought to the snana bedi through a grand procession which is termed as Pahandi Bije. Snana Purnima is the only occasion where devotees can get darshan of the 3 deities outside the main sanctum sanctorum but remaining inside the Shree Mandir.

After Pahandi Bije, the deities are bathed with 108 pots of sacred water drawn from the sacred well aka Suna Kua. The water from the well is also mixed with sandalwood paste, herbs, flowers, aromatic substances before being used for the abhisheka ritual. The sacred bathing ritual is performed by daita servitors.

Post bathing ceremony, the deities are adorned with Gajanan Besha aka Hati Besha symbolizing the omnipresence of the trinity and as a remover of all obstacles, establishing a connect with Lord Ganesha. From now, the daita servitiors take charge of daily rituals of the holy trinity till Niladri Bije.

15 Day Anasara: Trinity falling ill after the holy bath

Like a human falls sick after a prolonged bathing session, the holy trinity also worshipped as the human God fall sick for a period of 15 days starting from Jyestha Purnima to Asadha Amavashya. During this period, public worship is not allowed, and access is restricted to selected servitors belonging to the Vaidya sect. Lord Jagannath along with his siblings are confined to a special sick chamber known as Anasara Ghara.

The Raj Vaidya prepares a traditional medicine, Phuluri Tela (made from flowers, herbs, sandalwood, camphor and sesame oil) that helps in the healing process. The daitas also perform secret rituals inside the anasara ghara for faster recovery of their maha prabhu. Unlike normal days, the famous Abhada Mahaprasad is not served during this period but light and simple foods that include fruits, herbal drinks, Kanji (rice porridge) are offered.

Three patta paintings or anasara patti of the holy trinity are worshipped during this period inside the Shree Mandir as substitutes. Devotees visit the Alarnath temple situated in Bramhagiri (22 KMs from Shree Mandir) and pray for the faster healing of their beloved lord. Special rice kheer is offered to Lord Alarnath as prasad during this time.

Nabajoubana Besha: Holi Trinity Getting ready for the Journey

This is done one day before the Rath Yatra. The deities have now fully recovered from the illness and are ready for the journey to their birth place. They are given a fresh paint, eyeballs painted (Netra Utshav), fully rejuvenated and back to their youthful form.

After a period of 15 days, Maha Prabhu once again gives darshan to his devotees inside the sanctum sanctorum before leaving for the Rath Yatra. The royal priest gets the first glimpse of Nabajoubana besha, followed by devotees. Just like any human who dresses up and prepares to look their best before a journey, God also adorns himself before the Rath Yatra, revealing the human side of the holy trinity.

Rath Yatra: A Journey of the Holy Trinity amongst sea of Devotees

Post early morning rituals, the deities are carried in grand processions aka Pahandi Bije from the sanctum sanctorum to their respective chariots. Unlike any other processions, the Pahandi Bije is a captivating visual for the devotees who become emotionally charged on seeing their beloved lord being swayed in different motions while being carried to respective chariots. The entire atmosphere is filled with divine energy with the sounds of ghantas, mridangas and chants of Hari Bol engulfing the 22 steps, Lion’s gate and grand road. The pahandi sequence starts with Lord Sudarshan followed by Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and lastly Lord Jagannath. Tahiya, a divine headgear is adorned on the deities during the pahandi bije, making it a visual treat to the eyes of the devotees.

Post completion of Pahandi Bije of Lord Balabhadra on Taladhwaja, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan on Darpadalan and Lord Jagannath on Nandighosha, Chera Pahanra, an unique and significant ritual is carried out by the first sevak of the holy trinity, Gajapati King of Puri. This ritual of sweeping the chariots by the King symbolises humility and equality before God thereby breaking the barriers of caste, status and power.

After this ritual, horses are tied to the chariots, and devotees begin pulling them in a sacred procession as the holy trinity embarks on their divine journey to Gundicha Temple. Similar to Pahandi Bije, Lord Balabhadra chariot is pulled first followed by Devi Subhadra and lastly Lord Jagannath. Unlike the other chariots that proceed without stopping, Nandighosha (Lord Jagannath’s chariot) pauses twice during the journey—first at the Mausima Temple, where he relishes his favorite Poda Pitha offered by his aunt, and again at the shrine of Salabega, his beloved Muslim devotee. The chariots are pulled only during daylight hours. If they don't reach Gundicha Temple by sunset, the procession stops for the night and resumes the next morning.

When the deities arrive at Gundicha Temple, they are ceremoniously carried in Pahandi Bije to the Janma Bedi the following day where they remain for seven days, giving darshan to the devotees. During their stay at Gundicha temple, the Mahaprasad served here is referred to as Adapa Mandapa abhada and is relished by lakhs of devotees. The adapa mandapa (canopy like structure) abhada holds spiritual significance and is believed once attains moksha just by having a small grain of rice from this Mahaprasada.

Hera Panchami: Goddess Lakshmi’s subtle show of anger

Adding yet another human touch with human centric feeling, emotions and actions to this spiritual festival is Hera Panchami aka Lakshmi Narayana Kali. Lord Jagannath brings everything and everyone dear to him on this sacred journey but leaves behind his beloved consort and love, Goddess Lakshmi. Expressing her disappointment, Goddess Lakshmi visits the Gundicha temple carried on a beautifully decorated palanquin and symbolically breaks a part of the Nandighosa using a golden rod, thoroughly expressing her anger for being left behind. Following this she returns back to the temple but this time via a secret route through the bylanes of Puri thereby skipping the direct route through the Bada Danda (Grand Road).

Cultural Significance:

As Goddess Lakshmi emerges from the temple, she graciously blesses all devotees, rich and poor alike with her divine darshan. Her quiet return through Puri's bylanes carries profound meaning: it shows the almighty’s mercy flows equally to all who worship with true devotion, regardless of caste, class or creed.
Divine playfulness with love, emotions, anger and forgiveness
The Odia tradition of attributing human emotions to the holy trinity

Bahuda Yatra: The Return Journey towards Shri Mandir

The time has come to bid adieu to Gundicha temple, janma bedi, adapa mandapa and start the holy journey of bahuda (return) towards the Shree Mandir, Goddess Lakshmi, Ratna Bedi. The holy trinity is again brought to their respective chariots through Pahandi Bije amongst an electrified and devotional atmosphere of emotions with devotees singing, dancing amidst the sounds of ghanta, mridanga, sankha and chants of Hari Bol.

After the Pahandi Bije concludes, the Gajapati Maharaj once again performs the sacred Chera Pahanra ritual. Following this, the servitors carefully harness the horses to the chariots, and the joyous pulling of the chariot begins.

Lakshmi Narayana Kali: Gajapati Maharaj Steps in to Pacify the Goddess

After Taladhwaja and Darpadalana reach the singha dwara (lion’s gate), Goddess Lakshmi once again starts on a journey to express her disappointment of being left behind for this sacred Yatra. Adorned with flowers and ornaments, the procession towards Nandighosa begins. The news spreads and reaches the Gajapati Maharaj that Goddess Lakshmi is marching towards Lord Jagannath with anger and disappointment.

As the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, Gajapati Maharaj attempts to console Goddess Lakshmi in front of Nandighosha. With folded hands, he assures her that the Lord will soon return to the Ratna Bedi and informs her that the Lord had stepped out of the temple for the well-being of humanity. In a tender gesture, the king himself helps arrange Lakshmi's darshan of Lord Jagannath, soothing her divine displeasure.

Before the chariot procession continues, Lord Jagannath offers his beloved consort two special offerings: the sacred Adhara Mala (flowers touched to his lips) and sweet curd - tokens of affection meant to appease her and seek forgiveness for their temporary separation. Goddess Lakshmi then gracefully circles Nandighosa in a final act of devotion before returning to the Shree Mandir.

Suna Besha: Adorned with Golden Ornaments, hands, legs and more

Suna Besha is observed on the bahuda ekadashi and is also called as bada ekadashi by scholars and followers of Vaishnavism. The holy trinity are adorned with golden ornaments starting from golden crown, golden hands, forehead ornaments, golden earrings, chakra & sankha (golden wheel and conch) and golden anklets.

Suna Besha offers devotees a rare glimpse of the holy trinity adorned in gold ornaments, their divine hands and feet fully visible—the only occasion outside Shree Mandir when such a sacred darshan is possible. The Bada Ekadashi or the Suna Besha rituals commence at dusk, allowing pilgrims to witness the golden radiance late into the night.

Adhara Pana: Mahaprasada for the Spirits

Among the most extraordinary rituals of Rath Yatra, Adhara Pana reveals the boundless compassion of the holy trinity. This sacred offering demonstrates how Lord Jagannath embraces all existence - visible and invisible.

As per scholars, the sacred chariots carry more than just the holy trinity - they bear invisible protectors: ancestral spirits, celestial beings, and devout souls who ensure the Yatra's completion. In an extraordinary act of gratitude, Lord Jagannath offers these unseen companions Adhara Pana.

The name holds profound significance: Adhara = Lips (of the divine) and Pana = Sacred drink. As the massive pots are raised to the chariots, the deities symbolically sip from them. This act blesses the offering with divine touch and Sanctifies the nourishment for all beings.

The Sacred Preparation includes:

Fresh chhena (cottage cheese)
Ripe bananas
Pure jaggery & honey
Secret spices 
Prepared in handmade earthen pots that stand tall enough to touch the deities' lips

Once the earthen pots are filled with the mixture, the servitors perform special rituals to bless the Pana and make it sacred. Then the earthen pots are made to fall on the chariots, allowing the watery mixture to free flow and allow the invisible beings to embrace this sacred drink.

Niladribije: Rasgulla and final part of Lakshmi Narayana Kali

Niladri, the Blue Mountain, another name for Shree Mandir and Bije meaning entry, marks the grand re-entry of the Lord into Shree Mandir.

As the holy trinity prepares for Pahandi Bije, sequence: Lord Balabhadra enters first, Devi Subhadra follows gracefully and then comes Kalia. Knowing his beloved awaits at Bheta Mandapa fuming with rage, the Lord of Universe, takes reluctant steps from his chariot, stealing glances at Goddess Lakshmi. As Lord Jagannath reaches the Lion Gate (Singha Dwara), the temple servitors of Goddess Lakshmi dramatically shut the doors. Now the divine playfulness of love, emotions and forgiveness begins. Lord Jagannath in order to pacify his beloved wife offers a specially prepared sweet dish, Kheeramohana aka Rasgulla. This sweet offering melts Goddess Lakshmi with love and then the temple doors open to allow the entry of Lord Jagannath.

Niladribije symbolizes anything which has started will eventually come to an end. Rath Yatra reveals the human side of the holy trinity in ways we can all recognize. The gods walk, stumble, pause, and play - through every human experience, blessing our ordinary lives with their extraordinary participation.