OdishaThe grand Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath has started today. This Rath Yatra is organized every year on the second day of Shukla Paksha of Ashad month in Puri, Odisha. Lord Jagannath has set out on a city tour along with sister Subhadra and elder brother Balabhadra riding on a palanquin.
Lord Jagannath will first leave for his aunt’s house to visit the Gundicha temple. Lakhs of devotees participate in this 10-day long journey. It is said that just by seeing the Rath Yatra, one gets the virtue of 1000 yagyas. Apart from this, Navgrahas are also worshipped during the Rath Yatra. It is said that by simply participating in the Jagannath Rath Yatra, the effect of inauspicious planets is reduced and the effect of auspicious planets increases.
Actually, in ancient times, Lord Jagannath had to suffer the karma of his devotee to save him from the pain of illness. For this, he had to remain ill for 15 days and live in isolation. During this time, he was treated. With this tradition, every year in the month of Ashadh, the doors of Lord Jagannath’s temple are closed for 15 days. During this time, the idol of the Lord is also not kept in the temple and he is treated. When the Lord becomes healthy, he goes out to tour the city.

According to tradition, when Lord Jagannath is healthy, the Lord comes out of the temple and is worshipped along with Lord Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. Then the Lord (Lord Jagannath) rides on the chariot and tours the city (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024). After this, he goes to his aunt’s house in Gundicha temple to rest for a few days. Lakhs of devotees from India and abroad come to Jagannath Puri to see this Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, which is said to be 5 thousand years old.