Saraikela: Lord Jagannath rides chariot to Mashi Bari with Balabhadra and Subhadra

Mail News Service

Saraikela, July 1: The traditional Rath Yatra that has been celebrated with piety and gaiety through generations is a much looked-forward-to event with a sea of devotees participating in this gala event. Rath Yatra was organized in Saraikela on the lines of this festivity that is celebrated at Jagannath Dham in Puri. Scriptures and tradition has it that Lord Jagannath along with cousin Balabhadra and sister Subhadra travel to their Mashi Bari (maternal aunt’s house) and make the return trip on the eighth day.

Traditional worship in Saraikela has a slight deviation. There is a night halt after the Lord’s Rath (chariot) covers a distance of about 250 meters. Lord Jagannath, elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra take rest before resuming the journey to Mashi Bari early next morning.

The excitement and festivities of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra had the celestial effect as worship of the Mahaprabhu commenced on Friday, July 1 under the supervision of the high priest, Pandit Brahmananda Mahapatra at the Shri Mandir.  Soon after the prayers, Lord Jagannath, cousin Balabhadra and sister Subhadra were carried in the laps of devotees, were carried ceremonially to Hanuman Chowk where the Rath was waiting for the journey to Mashi Bari. Following traditions, Saraikela King Pratap Aditya Singhdev walked ahead of the Mahaprabhu while performing the ritual, Chaura Parua. Just prior to boarding the Rath, Saraikela Raja Pratap Aditya Singhdev performed prayers to see off Lord Jagannath, cousin Lord Balabhadra and sister to their Mashi Bari.

Seraikela Raja performs traditional Chaura Parua

In keeping with traditional practices, King Pratap Aditya Singhdev, moving ahead of Lord Jagannath sprinkled holy water on the Lord’s pathway upto the waiting Chariot. This traditional practice is called Chaura Parua. This was performed by the king as the deities carried by devotees left the Shri Mandir to the waiting Rath at Hanuman Chowk. road with the broom of Kush. This is called the Chaitra Paurra tradition.

Auspicious coincidence

Light drizzle has been known to happen the moment Lord Jagannath leaves His temple for His journey to Mashi Bari. Friday, July 1 was no different. It started drizzling as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and sister Subhadra left the Sri Mandir. Old timers and religious authorities stated that the drizzle that happens as Lord Jagannath leaves His abode is an auspicious sign and this coincidence has occurred through time on the day the Lord leaves for Mashi Bari.

Rath Yatra organized by Jagannath Seva Samiti

All the programs on the occasion of the commencement of Rath Yatra were organized by Jagannath Seva Samiti on Friday. The Seva Samiti team comprised Chairman Raja Singhdev, Vice President Sudip Patnaik, Secretary Parthasarathi Das, Chiranjivi Mahapatra, Parshuram Kavi, Rajiv Mahapatra, Badal Dubey, Ramnath Acharya, Chandrashekhar Kar, Sudhir Chandra Das, Sushant Mahapatra, Dukhu Ram Sahu, Rajesh Mishra, Bhola Mohanty, Dasharathi Pariksha, Ganesh Sathpathy, Ravi Sathpathy and Sumit Mahapatra.

Traditional worship in Sini

Rath Yatra programs were also organized in Sini. On this occasion, according to tradition, while starting the Mausi Bari Yatra, Mahaprabhu was worshiped ritualistically. Sri Jagannath devotees offered special prayers to the Mahaprabhu on the occasion of Rath Yatra and prayed for happiness, peace and prosperity.