Monday, June 29, 2009

Ratha Yatra in Mayapur

On the second day of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashadha, the most splendid festival of Ratha Yatra takes place in the holy city of Puri. On the same day, Ratha Yatra takes place at Rajapur, in Simantadvipa, which is non-different from Puri dhama. Lord Baladeva and Subhadra devi mounted on Their chariots Taladwaja and Darpadalan while Lord Jagananth was carried in a rhythmicmovement in a colorful Pandu Vijaya ceremony to His Chariot, Nandi Ghosha. The Ratha was inaugurated by celebrities from Kolkata. On the day of Ratha Yatra,Rajapur Sri Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra deities gave special darshan with golden hands.

Mayapur devotees and thousands of pilgrims enthusiastically pulled the ropes taking Their Lordships to Gundica Mandir, where They rest for seven days in Their garden house. The Lord accepted bhoga and offerings throughout His journey. Variety band parties and colorful dancing girls marched in front, followed by kirtan parites and harinam. Gurukulis were constantly chanting vedic mantras in the chariots.

“As the Lord mounts His Ratha-yatra cart and parades along the road,there is a constant accompaniment of loud prayers and songs chanted by large assemblies fo brahmanas. Hering theri hymns, Lord Jagannath is favorably disposed towards them. He is an ocean of mercy, and is the true friend of all the worlds.May that Lord of the Universe,along with His consort Lakshmi,who was born from the ocean of nectar kindly becoem visible unto me”- Jagannath Astakam verse5.
In the Pancha-tattava Mandir, a beautiful Gundica Mandira has been set up. Devotees on the day before Ratha Yatra performed Gundica Marjana or cleaning of Gundica Mandir, welcoming the Lord to stay here. Everyday evening for next seven days, devotees will offer lamps and sing Jaganantha Astakam prayers in the Pancha-tattva Mandir.

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