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Time of India
05-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Siali ropes keep Rath Yatra rolling for 400 years
1 2 Keonjhar: For nearly 400 years, the chariot of Lord Baladevjew, 'world's tallest' chariot, is pulled by ropes made from the bark of 'siali' creepers during Rath Yatra. Historians said the Bhuyan community has been providing the ropes for a long time. Locally sourced from nearby forests, siali creeper's bark is transformed into strong, thick ropes by hand. Traditionally, six Bhuyan 'Pirha' would donate the ropes. Pirha means a habitation where hundreds of Bhuyan community families reside. Over time, due to a shortage of 'siali' creepers and other reasons, only Danla village in Suakati panchayat under Banspal block has kept the tradition alive. As the festival nears, the villagers gather to make 'siali' ropes for the Nandighosh chariot of Sri Baladevjew Temple, Keonjhar. From 'Akshaya Tritiya', villagers go to Gandhamardan hills to collect the siali bark. The ropes are nearly 150ft long and up to 18 inches wide. "We make a total of four ropes by combining three for the journey," said Bhimsen Puhan of Danla. Kunja Dehuri, the village chief of Danla, said, " From Akshaya Tritiya, everyone in the village goes to the hills to collect the bark of good 'siali' creepers and bring them back. On Snana Purnima, we make the rope after getting permission. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Although its preparation is very difficult, we are continuing the tradition with a sense of devotion for hundreds of years." The ropes, once tied to the chariot of Sri Baladevjew, are believed to carry blessings. Devotees often collect small pieces to keep at home for peace and prosperity. "The use of these ropes to pull the chariot is a very old tradition," said Raj Kishore Panda, chief servitor of the temple.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Time of India
The Rath Yatra: a celebration of siblinghood
It is Rath Yatra time in Puri. During Rath Yatra, three grand chariots with the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Shubhadra – two brothers, and their sister, are drawn by a massive crowd of devotees. The holy chariots are taken to the Gundicha Temple. The three deities spend a week there at the house of their mausi (maternal aunt) before returning to the Jagannath Temple. There are some interesting stories, however, that marketing folks and brand mandarins need to know and hear about the Rath Yatra as they could become the seeds of a Big Idea for the future. Once upon a time in Dwarka, Lord Krishna's eight queens requested his mother Rohini to narrate the transcendental pastimes of Lord Krishna with the Gopis in Vraja Vrindavan. Rohini agreed, however, considering it unbecoming of Shubhadra (Lord Krishna's sister) to hear such episodes (Leela), she sent her to guard the Palace doorway. Soon, Lord Krishna and Balaram (also known as Balabhadra) arrived at the doorway. Subhadra stood between the two, preventing them from entering. However, from where they stood, Rohini's narration of the transcendental pastimes soon engrossed them all. Just then sage Narada arrived. Seeing the siblings standing together like statues, Narad humbly prayed, 'May the three of you grant darshan in this manner forever.' His prayer was granted. And the three eternally reside now in the Jagannath Mandir in Puri. The Jagannath Temple, therefore, is home not only to Lord Krishna, but also his elder brother Lord Balaram and his younger sister, Shubhadra – a perfect picture of sibling togetherness. There is perhaps no other example in India where godly siblings reside together, and are worshipped together. Now to a second story. Legend has it that long long back the beloved Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Balabhadra and Subhadra, once disappeared from public view at the Jagannath Temple. It all began with the Snana Purnima, the full moon day of the Hindu month Jyeshtha, when the deities were bathed with 108 pots of holy, aromatic water in a spectacular public ceremony. This ritual cleansing, while spiritually significant, is believed to have induced a divine fever. As a result, the deities 'fell ill' and were moved into a private chamber, the Anasara Gruha where they remained for 15 days, away from the public gaze. During this time, temple priests and the Raja Vaidya (royal physician) administered a time-honoured treatment plan rooted in Ayurveda. Central to this regimen – a bitter medicinal decoction known as Dasa Mula Kadha. Prepared with a blend of ten sacred roots (dasa mula), tulsi, sandalwood, cardamom, black pepper, rose petals, and water from the Ganges, this herbal brew is said to have boosted the immunity of the deities, reduced the fever, and promoted recovery. Post convalescence and return to good health, sister Shubhadra wanted to go visit Dwarka, her parent's home and her indulgent brothers just could not say 'no' and took her there on this day. The Rath Yatra is believed to be a commemoration of that visit. True or false, one doesn't know. The Rath Yatra chariots are painted with bright colours and the tops are covered with red, black, yellow, or green canopies. Lord Jagannath uses red and yellow, Lord Balaram uses red and green, while Goddess Subhadra uses red and black. All the chariots have separate features to distinguish from each other. Lord Jagannath's chariot is called as Chakradhwaja or Nandhighosa, which simply describes tumultuous but blissful sound. 45 feet tall, 16 wheels, 65 tons in weight, with Garuda on its crest along with four white wooden horses – that is Lord Jagannath's Rath. Lord Balaram's cart is called Taladhwaja , which means the sound of significantly powerful rhythm. It has 14 wheels and is drawn by four black wooden horses. It carries Hanuman on its crest. Goddess Subhadra's cart is called Padmadhwaja or Darpadalan, which means destroyer of pride. It has a lotus on its crest, uses 12 wheels, and is drawn by four red wooden horses. The chariots travel together to Gundicha. In these above stories, is there something that marketers and brand managers could have possibly missed? Well, the Jaganath Temple is home to three siblings who live together. And the Rath Yatra is a commemoration of their journey together. It is, put together in one narrative, a story of siblings' togetherness, siblings' love and siblings' strength and support to each other. Is there merit in looking at the onset of the annual Rath Yatra as a Siblings Week, to be celebrated across India? With the traditional joint-family by-and-large disintegrating and falling apart, and most siblings now living their respective lives in smaller nuclear families far and near, can the unveiling and aggressive promotion of a Siblings Week create a new marketing aperture? A week in which to visit each other, travel together and relive siblings' love? It would be a boon for business – travel, hospitality, food & beverage, new apparels and accoutrements, gifting and more. Think about it. By the way, there is actually a Siblings Day celebrated in other parts of the world. Siblings Day is a holiday recognized in parts of the United States and Canada on April 10, and as Brothers and Sisters Day on May 31 in Europe. It honours the relationship of brothers and sisters of all ages. Unlike Mother's Day and Father's Day, it is not yet federally recognized in the United States, though the Siblings Day Foundation is working to change this. Since 1998, the governors of 49 states have officially issued proclamations to recognize Siblings Day in their state. Sure, there is Raksha Bandhan in India which celebrates the brother-sister rishta but it doesn't factor in the love of two brothers, or more. Siblings Week could really work in India as a cementing week of family love. Except, yes except the proverbial twist in the tale. Which is the tale of Hera Panchami. The fifth day from Rath Yatra, i.e., the fifth day in the fortnight of Ashadha is known as the Hera Panchami. During Ratha Yatra, Lord Jagannath comes out on a divine outing with His brother Balabhadra and sister Shubhadra along, with His divine weapon Sudarshana , leaving behind His wife Mahalaxmi. The Goddess expresses her anger to the deity. She proceeds to the Gundicha Temple, the Adapa Mandapa in a palanquin in the form of a Subarna Mahalaxmi and threatens Him to come back to the temple at the earliest. To please her, the deity concedes to her by offering her agyan mala (a garland of consent). Seeing the Goddess furious, the sevaks close the main door of the Gundicha. Mahalaxmi returns to the main temple through the Nakachana gate. In a unique ritual, the Goddess orders one of her attendants to damage a part of the Nandighosa chariot! This is followed by her hiding behind a tamarind tree outside the Gundicha Temple. After some time, she escapes to her home temple in secrecy, through a separate pathway known as Hera Gohri Lane! Well this is the story of the spouse spurned in favour of the siblings. A Siblings Week will have to factor in this necessary complication!! Siblings Week is a Big Idea. In recent years, Karan Johar movies have made Karva Chauth into a much bigger even than it ever was. And Akshay Tritya is today a gold bonanza, courtesy efforts of the World Gold Council. Given the right inputs, and the desired impetus, the Rath Yatra could well trigger a big marketing aperture. (Dr. Sandeep Goyal is Chairman of Rediffusion. Views are personal.)
Hindustan Times
27-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Rath Yatra: Gajapati Maharaja of Puri performs 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual
Puri, The Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Divyasingha Deb, on Friday performed the 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual of sweeping the floors of the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings before the pulling of the chariots by devotees. Rath Yatra: Gajapati Maharaja of Puri performs 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual Clad in a spotless white attire and carried in a silver-plated palanquin, the titular king of Puri reached the chariots. He then climbed the chariots and swept the floors of the chariots using a broom with a golden handle, as priests chanted Sanskrit slokas and sprinkled flowers and fragrant water. He also performed 'aarti' to the deities and 'Chamer' seva. Gajapati Maharaja is considered as the first servitor of Lord Jagannath and therefore he performs the 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual, which is also part of the 'Rajaniti' . "It is a divine blessing for me and my family for being given an opportunity to serve Lord Jagannath and sweep his chariot on Rath Yatra," Gajapati told PTI a day before the Rath Yatra. The 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual is also performed by the Gajapati on the occasion of 'Snana Purnima' and Bahuda Yatra . The Gajapati first offered prayers at Lord Balabhadra's chariot 'Taladhwaj', then Lord Jagannath's 'Nadighosh' and finally Devi Subhadra's 'Darpadalan'. According to traditions, the titular king of Puri is informed about the deities having taken their places on the chariots through a messenger specially deputed by the temple officials. As per the temple records, the emperors of Orissa, beginning with Anantvarman Chodagangadeva in the 12th century, had declared themselves to be the "Rauta" of Lord Jagannath and ruled the land as his representative. After cleaning of the chariots or 'Chhera Pahanra' by the titular king and his departure to the palace, the wooden horses painted in brown , black and white are fixed to the three chariots and pulled by devotees. The ritual of a Maharaja sweeping the chariots gives a message that all are equal before the Lord, said Bhaskar Mishra, a researcher in the Jagannath cult. Pandit Suryanarayan Rathsharma said that the 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual gives a unique message to the society that all are equal in his eyes, be he a king or a sweeper. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Indian Express
27-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Digha temple aimed only at revenue, says Shankaracharya
BHUBANESWAR: Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth at Puri, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati has slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for constructing a replica of Puri Shree Jagannath Temple at Digha. Addressing mediapersons at Puri on Thursday, he said the Digha temple is aimed at revenue and has nothing to do with devotion for Lord Jagannath. 'Mamata Banerjee has built the temple at Digha to retain the lakhs of devotees from West Bengal who visit Srimandir in Puri throughout the year. This is not about religious sentiments but for revenue generation. Many devotees from West Bengal visit Puri. She has built the temple in Digha keeping this in mind,' he said. The Shankaracharya further said that while lakhs of devotees come to Puri round the year, their number multiplies during Snana Purnima, Nabajaubana Besha, Rath Yatra, Bahuda and Suna Besha rituals. Rath Yatra will be celebrated at the Digha Jagannath Temple for the first time this year. 'This will boost the local trade but will not address the thirst of devotion of Lord Jagannath's devotees,' the seer said.
India Gazette
26-06-2025
- India Gazette
Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee visits Lord Jagannath temple in Digha
Digha (West Bengal) [India], June 26 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Lord Jagannath temple in Digha in West Bengal on Thursday, ahead of Jagannath Rath Yatra scheduled to start on June 27. CM Mamata Banerjee said, 'Lord Jagannath temple has become a major place of pilgrimage. The Rath Yatra will be held on a 1 km route from 9 am to 4 pm tomorrow. The aarti will be performed at 2.30 pm. Our ministerial team has arrived here for this.' The Rs 250 crore temple in Digha, constructed over 20 acres, was inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on April 30, 2025. The temple, inspired by the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, houses the same deities. Meanwhile, the temple town of Odisha's Puri is all set to witness the Jagannath Rath Yatra, 2025. During the festival, devotees draw the grand chariots of the three deities--Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balabhadra, and sister goddess Subhadra--to Gundicha Temple, where the deities reside for a week and then return to the Jagannath temple. On Wednesday, June 11, Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, held the sacred bathing ritual on the occasion of Snana Purnima in Puri. The three deities were ceremonially bathed with 108 pitchers of sacred water. This ritual marks a significant lead-up to the grand Rath Yatra. The Ratha Yatra, also known as the Chariot Celebration of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra, is one of the most prominent Hindu festivals in Puri, Odisha. This festival takes place every year on the second day of the Shukla Paksha in the months of June or July. The three chariots are built anew every year ahead of the annual chariot festival. (ANI)
