Puri Rath Yatra 2021 date, history, significance, rituals and timings
Puri Rath Yatra 2021 started on July 12 and is taking place in a small radius around Puri. The Supreme Court said that Jagannath Rath Yatra 2021 shall take place exclusively in Puri and prohibited it to be taken out in the entire state of Odisha. Let’s know the date, history, significance, and timings about the yatra.
The Yatra is taking place exclusively in Puri as the Supreme Court has prohibited the Rath Yatra in the whole state of Odisha in the wake of the Delta Plus form of COVID-19 and the likelihood of a third wave.
Puri Rath Yatra 2021: Date
The Yatra generally begins on the Dwitiya Tithi (second day), Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the Moon) in the Hindu month of Aashadha. As per the Gregorian calendar, the event is presently held in June or July.
The Jagannath Temple is one of Hinduism’s four most important pilgrimages. Ratha Yatra started on Monday, July 12, 2021, this year.
History and Significance
The Jagannath Puri shrine was erected in the 12th century where Shri Jagannathji, Balabhadraji, and Subhadraji are revered. The current temple was built by King Chodagan Dev in the Kalinga style. During the Rath Yatra, all three deities including Shri Jagannathji, Balabhadraji, and Subhadraji ride in separate chariots to their aunt’s residence, the Gundicha temple, which is situated three kilometres from the Puri temple. After an eight-day visit, they return to the Puri temple.
Each year, the Yatra starts on Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Ashadh month and concludes 8 days later on Dashami Tithi with the homecoming of Shri Jagannathji, Balabhadraji, and Subhadraji.
