The largest event in Orissa, known as the “rath
yatra,” is all set to take place this year. Every year, the Orissa government makes extra significant preparations for the procession that will be
held in Puri (Odisha) on July 1, 2022. The celebrations will last
till July 22.

On this
auspicious day, tens of thousands of devotees muster up to ask Lord Jagannath,
who is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, for his blessings. As
devotees from around the world travel to seek blessings and worship the deity,
the state is decorated in the richest colours for the week-long event.

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It is a
significant day for Indians, particularly those who profess Hinduism. People
from all across the world go to Puri to catch sight of the event, which is a
sign of its popularity.

During this
festival, Lord Jagannath’s followers find it essential to go to Puri,
regardless of where they are located on the globe, to seek His blessings.

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Significance:

A celebration called Jagannath Rath Yatra is held
every year to remember Jagannath’s yearly journey from Mausi Maa Temple to
Gundicha Temple. Balaram, the eldest brother, and Subhadra, the sister, are
accompanied by Lord Jagannath, who is led from the Jagannath Temple and put
into their corresponding chariots. Numerous worshippers draw the carriages ahead.
The chariots are drawn to the Gundicha Temple, nearly two kilometres from the
Jagannath Temple.

According to the
Brahma Purana, Skanda Purana, Padma Purana, and Kapila Samhita, the yatra at
Puri is the first Rath Yatra. Hindus consider the occasion important.

The Gundicha
temple is cleaned by the devotees before Lord Jagannath and his siblings’
visit. They each had different terms given to their chariots.

The
Nandighosha, which has 16 wheels, is the name of Lord Jagannath’s chariot.
Goddess Subhadra’s chariot, known as Darpadalan, has 12 wheels, while Lord
Balabhadra’s chariot, known as Taladhwaja, has 14 wheels. Darpadalan stays
between the two chariots, and Arjun takes on the role of the chariot’s sarthi.

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The festival preps:

The preparations for the festival start to take place
way before the day it is scheduled. The chariots’ building gets underway, on Akshaya Tritiya, which happens to be the
third day of Vaisakha.

The chariots
that they make are unique since they are always built from scratch. which makes
them biodegradable and environmentally friendly. These chariots are made mostly
from wood that comes from several trees, including dhausa and phassi.

The three
chariots stay there for seven days, and then they come back to Jagannath Temple.
The chariots are decorated in different styles, the same as the ones followed
for centuries by the priests.