|
|
|
Page 3 of 3
To the axles of the chariot wheels are tied thick ropes which are pulled by the attendants and the crowd. Unlike the chariots of Balabhadra and Subhadra that move smoothly, the chariot of Lord Jagan-nath frequently breaks down along the way. The hitch is said to be caused by a mistake in the ceremonial procedure or the result of a devout follower being wronged. The chief priest arrives to appease the Lord through elaborate rituals. Most years, the chariot reaches the Gundicha temple by nightfall, in rare cases it may fail to reach its destination by the time darkness descends, it then stays where it is until sunrise. However, delays in the journey are considered inauspicious and so meticulous preparations are made to ensure a smooth journey.
On the day of the Rathyatra, the innumerable ceremonies and rituals begin at dawn, of these pahandi and chherapnhara are popular. Interestingly, the cult of Jagannath dates back to the pre-Aryan days when the Shabar tribals lived in this area. Forest-dwellers, they were essentially nature worshippers and believed in animism. It was their chieftain who worshiped the deity of Nilmadhav. King Indradumnya of Puri acquired the wooden idol through chieftain Biswabasu and installed it as Lord Jagannath of Puri. There are various legends regarding the incomplete form and the functions of the deities.
Ceremonies and festivals connected with the Rathyatra are conducted by a special group of attendants called daitapatis who are said to have descended from Biswabasu. After the routine morning ceremonies, the gods are served food and dressed in special clothes. Then the daitapatis take over and unfasten the idol. The Sudarshan Chakra comes down first and as it reaches the stairs of the temple, the images are brought down one after another. Then begins the pahandi when the images are lifted in one continuous motion, hugged and carried over to the chariots. On the way, the idols are adorned with specially decorated headgear (now made of thermocol). Then begins the arduous task of putting the images in the chariots.
After the gods are safely settled (with a cushion at their back), the Gajapati ruler of Puri arrives in a palanquin, amidst much fanfare. He conducts many rituals, the chief of which is sweeping the chariots with a gold broom. A lesson in humility, the event symbolises the belief that before Lord Jagannath everybody is a servant. This event is known as the chherapanhara.
Other guardian deities, the wooden charioteers and horses are put in their designated places. Two trunks containing the dresses and other items of daily use for the gods are placed in the chariot of Lord Jagannath. Lastly, the images are adorned with fresh headgear and floral arrangements and the procession begins. Attendants, members of other maths and institutions, walk with the chariots to the accompaniment of assorted musical instruments and songs. The crowd, now swelling by the minute, surges forward to tug at the ropes and the police have a hard time trying to keep them at bay, to prevent accidents. In days gone by, people threw themselves under the giant wheels because dying this way meant a berth in heaven. The ritual is now dead, but in any case the district administration and local volunteers keep arrangements for first aid and emergencies. The crowd runs along with the chariots, some right up to the Gundicha temple.
At the Gundicha temple too various ceremonies take place, the most important being the sandhya darshan or the evening audition. On the day of the return, the chariot of Lord Jagannath stops near the palace to meet consort Goddess Lakshmi. After arriving at the Puri temple, the images remain on the chariot for a day. The following day, they are attired in special clothes of gold—known as the sunabesh or golden attire. Special food and drinks are served to the gods before they retire to the temple, probably as tired and happy as the devotees.
|
|
Info 
