Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022: Special wooden chariot with 16 wheels; Know interesting facts about it

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022: The world famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath will start in Puri, Odisha on the second day of Shukla Paksha of Ashadha month. Rath Yatra takes place in Sri Kshetra Puri Dham which is located in Odisha. It is believed that during this Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath travels in his chariot towards the house of his aunt Gundicha. Along with the chariot of Lord Jagannath, the chariots of his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra are also taken out. The three chariots are pulled separately by huge crowds who celebrate the occasion with drums, trumpets and conch shells. This time Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra will start on 1st July i.e. Friday.

Some interesting facts about the chariot are as follows:

1. Lord Srihari Jagannath is one of the major incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
2. The construction of Jagannath’s chariot begins on Akshaya Tritiya. This chariot is completely made of wood and not a single nail has been used in the chariot of Lord Jagannath.
3. The collection of wood begins on Vasant Panchami, which is used for making chariots. It is collected from a special forest, Dashpalla and made only by the carpenters working in the Shrimandir.
4. Lord Jagannath’s chariot is made in red and yellow color and has total 16 wheels. The chariot of Lord Jagannath is slightly bigger than the other two chariots. Also, the chariot of Lord Jagannath moves behind the chariots of Balabhadra and Subhadra.
5. Lord Jagannath’s chariot is called Nandighosh, Balabhadra’s chariot is called Taladhwaja and Subhadra’s chariot is called Darpadalana Ratha.
6. On Jyeshtha Purnima, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Lord Subhadra are bathed with 108 pitchers of water. This great occasion is called Sahastradhara Snan. The well from which the water is used is opened only once in a year.
7. This year Ashadh Shukla Dwitiya Tithi will start from 10:49 am on 30th June and will end on 1st July at 01:09 pm. This Uday Tithi, Jagannath Rath Yatra will start from Friday, July 1.
8. Lord Jagannath stays at his aunt’s house for seven days. After which the chariots return on the eighth day on the eighth day of Ashada Shukla Dashami. This is often called a journey.
9. It is believed that the kitchen of Jagannath temple is the largest kitchen in the world. Jagannath Temple is the only temple where offerings are called ‘Mahaprasad’. This Mahaprasad is prepared in seven earthen pots or wooden utensils.

Read also: Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022: Significance, Important Dates, Complete Program and Rituals of the Divya Yatra to Puri

Read also: Puri Rath Yatra will start from July 1, construction of 3 huge chariots in full swing. photos