Hauz Khas Rath Yatra celebrates 47 years
The market lanes of Hauz Khas saw devotees pack the streets on June 27 as they celebrated Odisha's annual Rath Yatra. In its 47th year in the Capital, with bells and chants by enthusiasts from across the city, they brought in the spirit and rituals of the renowned chariot event that honours Lord Jagannath.
More than 1,500 km away from Puri's coastal sands, the event adhered to every sacred protocol. 'Each and everything here, from the Pahandi (journey of the deities) to Chhera Pahanra (the ritual of sweeping the chariots) follows the sanctity and tradition of Puri,' says Ravi Pradhan, secretary, Neelachala Seva Sangha, which organises the annual yatra in Delhi. 'I feel proud to pull the Rath. It's a blessing, a fortune,' he added. As the chariot moved past temples and alleys to the rhythm of the mridanga and conch shells, one could see and hear that Jagannath's majesty had crossed regional borders.
Apart from the spiritual beauty, it was the perfect planning that made the event memorable. 'We had provisions for water and langar (community meals) for the devotees,' says Nirmal Dhal, the senior priest and a member of managing committee, 'The crowd was huge but all the bhakts were satisfied, that's our bhagwan's bhog (offering to the Gods).'
Pradhan reflected on the larger significance of the festival. 'In urban cities like Delhi, it's vital to preserve and showcase Odisha's cultural richness. To safeguard our heritage, we organise performances through the year, including Odissi, Daskathia and Pala,' he says.
The Jagannath temple in Hauz Khas has been a place of worship for more than four decades. 'The temple's foundation was laid in 1967 and the first floor was completed by 1971,' says Pradhan. In about eight years, the temple was completed.
The story reflects the aspirations of Odisha's migrant workers who moved to Delhi in the 1950s from Patamundi, Mandapada and Taradipada, mostly plumbers in search of work. During the Raja festival (the three-day festival that honours fertility and the onset of monsoon) of 1960, they dreamed about a sacred space that would keep them connected to their faith.
'Back then, the founders of the temple, Durjyodhan Pradhan and Kalahandi Maharaj Pratap Keshari Deo guided by a shared purpose, envisioned the temple,' says Pradhan, 'Devotees from Banapur had arrived at the Old Delhi Railway Station with idols from Puri. The authorities there would not allow them to be sent by air. Durjyodhan Pradhan had to keep the idol at his home till the temple was ready. With the help from Member of Parliament RN Singh Deo and the Delhi's then Lt Governor LN Jha, they found land in Haus Khas for the temple, which was built similar to the one in Puri.'
From 1979, the temple food rituals began. 'Every ritual, from bhoga preparation to aarti is performed with Puri's discipline,' says Dhal.
Even as they prepare for the return of the deities this weekend, Dhal adds, 'For me, serving Mahaprabhu Jagannath here is not just a tradition, it's a legacy. It's not just an annual festival for us, this is a lifestyle. Every year, when we pull the rope chanting Lord Jagannath's name, it feels like Puri itself has come to Delhi.'
Swayamshree Satyam Sethi is an intern at The Indian Express
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