A secular Yatra of Lord Jagannath?

[Guest guest]

A secular Yatra of Lord Jagannath

By Deepak Kumar Rath

 

The world famous Jagannath Rath Yatra (car festival), otherwise known

as Shree Gundicha Yatra or Ghosha Yatra, is a spectacular event of

Orissa, which attracts lakhs of pilgrims to the Grand Road of Puri.

The festival is observed on the second day of the bright fortnight of

Asadha (June-July) every year. This year it falls on July 8, 2005,

and the endowment department of the Government of Orissa has made all

arrangements under the guidance of state law minister. On the

auspicious occasion, Lord Jagannath's elder brother Balabhadra and

sister Subhadra visit their aunt's house called Gundicha Ghar and

stay there for seven days. Gundicha was the queen of Maharaja

Indradyumna of Avanti in mid-western India. Researchers say that

Jagannath Rath Yatra is the festival of joy, which dispels sorrow and

melancholy from life. It is divine joy out of which was created the

universe. It is a joy that sustains it and into that joy again all

this shall return. This is the message of the festival.

 

Secular Jagannath Cult

 

Another significant aspect of this age-old festival is that devotees

from different cults namely Shaivas, Shaktas, Ganapatayas, Pasupats,

Buddhists and Jains congregate on the occasion. Devotees from all

cultures, creeds, faiths and philosophies from different corners of

the world worship the Lord Jagannath. In todays political language,

we can say Lord Jagannath is also a `secular God' and Jagannath of

Puri has always played a vital role in the process of socio-cultural

integration of this great Bharat. It has embodied and given full

expression to the Indian concept of `Dharma', which aims at

continuance of social solidarity and social well-being. The Jagannath

Puri assimilates the untouchables, the hill tribes and the followers

of Islam into its broade based conception of Dharma. Prof. S.R.

Mukherjee, a researcher of Jagannath cult, says: "If we closely study

the Jagannath cult, we find in it a striking similarity with

Christian conception of God who suffered, died and rose again. The

conception of Nava-Kalevar of Lord Jagannath presents this

similarity." But all researchers do not accept this argument as there

is a vast difference between the two cults. This is a unique place

where Lord Jagannath is worshiped with her sister and brother. The

implication of this is that all human beings should love one another

as brothers and sisters. This relationship is the loveliest tie in

the world. The trio-worship in Jagannath cult is more than religious.

Jagannath's colour is black, his brother's is white and his sister's

is yellow colour. These colours represent the colours of the human

race.

 

The mahaprasad or the holy food offering of Lord Jagannath is really

a unique thing in India. There is no question of difference of any

caste system. The Brahmin and other classes of people can take the

holy mahaprasad together without any inhibition. Padmashree Sada Shiv

Rath Sharma, a senior researcher of Jagannath cult has once said: "It

is also a matter of thought that mahaprasad can again be offered to

other deities. This tradition shows the eternality that Jagannath is

the only Brahman of Vedanta Philosophy. So mahaprasad is also famous

as Anna Brahma".

 

The Chariot or Rath

 

Lord Jagannath and his car festival have been reported by numerous

European travelers since the 14th century. The chariot is made of

very solid wood, very rich with iron work thereon and finely engraved

with the shapes of men, women dancing, bulls, tigers and lions. The

chariots of three deities are distinguished by size, colour and

number of wheels. The Jagannath Rath is called Nandighosha and is

13.5 meter high and is supported by 16 wheels. The chariots have very

clear pyramidal shape. Nandighosh is covered by red and yellow cloth.

Balabhadra's chariot is known as Taladwaja, adorned by red and green

cloth; stands on 14 wheels and has a height of 13.2 meter. Subhadra's

chariot is called Darpadalan; adorned by red and black cloth,

supported by 12 wheels and is 12.9 meter high. The wheels of all the

three cars have 16 spokes each like their stone counterparts at the

sun temple of Konark. The chariots of Puri resemble with the Rekha

temple type of Orissan architecture. The chariots of Puri are also a

showcase of mobile architecture and their outer shape identify them

as the main temple. A distance of about 3 km is covered to reach the

Gundicha temple by performing the numerous rituals by the traditional

temple sevayats. During the festival, the Puri town turns into a

temple city when the chariots are pulled by thousands of devotees.

The sound of bells, conch, and the sacred mantras, the traditional

dances, and the meeting of the sadhus from different parts of the

world makes a religious pious atmosphere, which is so enjoyable that

one cannot imagine it without feeling it. On the Grand Road the

devotees get a chance to adore their dear God Jagannath. If one sees

how the Lord is loved by His devotees, one can say that He is really

the Supreme ruler. He is not merely the master and the king of kings.

He is a friend, a shelter, a solace too.