The Rath Yatra of Puri is celebrated worldwide. It is the journey of Lord
Jagannath, along with brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra from their abode,
Shreemandir, to the Gundicha Temple. There is no precedence anywhere else where the presiding deity comes
out of the main temple and goes on an annual vacation to his parental place.
The much awaited ceremony of Ratha Yatra is preceded by fascinating rituals such as the Chandan Yatra, Nava Yauban (Repainted renewed Gods) and Pahandi (The ceremonial process of the idols of all the three deities). The other Rituals of Ratha Yatra are Chherapanhara (Sweeping of the floor of the chariots with a golden broom by Gajapati Maharaja of Puri), Stay of the Dieties at Gundicha Ghar for seven days, Bahuda Yatra (Return journey of Gods via Mausi Maa Temple) and finale return of Lord Jagnnatha and siblings to the temple.
Lord Jagannath is believed to be an incarnation of Vishnu, preserver or conserver
of the universe.Lord Jagannath abandons His worn-out body and takes on a new one, once every 12
years. This is called Naba Kalebara, new birth.
It is believed that those who witness the Jagannath Rath Yatra are freed from
the cycle of birth and death and attain salvation.
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