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Rath Yatra 2022 begins! Interesting facts about Lord Jagannath procession- IN PICS

Puri Rath Yatra 2022: The Lord Jagannath Yatra has begun in Odisha’s Puri on Friday. After due rituals, the three Raths of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra have been pulled and put stationed in front of the Singha Dwara of the Shreemandira on Thursday itself. The Yatra will take place today. Odisha Police has made top-notch security arrangements keeping the expected crowd at the festival in mind. The three chariots are built a new, every year ahead of the annual chariot festival. Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted devotees on the occasion of the 'Rath Yatra' of Lord Jagannath, wishing that everyone is blessed with good health and happiness.

Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has made magnificent sand art. “On this Rath Yatra, let us pledge to "Say no to single-use plastic,” read the message. He also created 125 sand chariots to mark the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath at Puri beach.

Zee Media Bureau|

Updated:Jul 01, 2022, 12:49 PM IST

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Jagannath Yatra is world's largest chariot procession

Jagannath Rath Yatra, which is held every year in Odisha's Puri, is the world's largest chariot procession. In Jagannath Yatra, the three Raths of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra are pulled by devotees.

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Jagannath Yatra is the only Hindu celebration where deities are taken out of temple

In Hindu mythology, deities once stationed are not taken away from their place. However, Jagannath Yatra is the only Hindu procession or ritual where the deity Lord Jagannath, an incarnate of Lord Vishnu, is taken outside the temple premises.

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The large Jagannath chariots are built without even a single nail

In Jagannath Yatra, the role of chariots is of great significance as Lord Jagannath is taken and carried in it. Interestingly, new chariots are created every year but without using even a single nail.

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The Rath Yatra chariot is dismantled when it returns

According to common belief, after the chariots return, they are dismantled and the woods are used in the kitchen of Jagannath temple as fuel. The three chariots are built a new, every year ahead of the annual chariot festival.

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There are three different names for all three chariots

The names of the chariots of Lord Jagannath are Nandighosh, Balabhadra's and Subhadra's are Taal Dhwaja and Darpadalana Rath. The chariot pulling will start at 4 pm this year.

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As per Hindu mythology, Lord Jagannath, who is taken out of the Puri Temple during the onset of Yatra, stays at his aunt's home for all seven days. Then, on Ashadh Shukla Dashami, the eighth day, the chariots make their way back. The Yatra taken back home is called Baudh Yatra

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Only Jagannath Temple's 'Prasad' is called 'Mahaprasad'

Interestingly, it is believed that the only temple where prasad is referred to as "Mahaprasad" is the Jagannath Temple. The kitchen in the Jagannath temple is thought to be the biggest in the world. In seven wooden utensils or clay pots, this Mahaprasad is made.