Stage set for Rath Yatra festival in Agartala
The stage is set for rolling out of the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath with all religious fervour and gaiety from the famous Jagannath Temple in Agartala on June 20. The Rath yatra would begin at 3 p.m. Every year, the Jagannath Rath Yatra is witnessed by thousands of devotees from all corners of the world.
The significance of the Rath Yatra is immense for a person, who longs for spiritual merit and final liberation. It is believed that anyone who pulls the rope linked to the chariots of the deities and helps others also in doing so or merely touches the rope or chariots, gets the merit of several penances.
Documented in Hindu sacred texts – Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana and Kapila Samhita – it is believed that Subhadra, sister of Lord Jagannath, desired to travel to Puri. To fulfil her wish, Lord Jagannath, along with his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, left for Puri in a chariot with Devi Subhadra.
Since then, this festival marks the annual ceremonial journey of Lord Jagannath, brother Balabhadra and younger sister Subhadra, from their home temple to another temple which is considered to be their aunt’s home.
