First rain after the scorching summer, Ahh! Here comes the monsoon. What a relief it brings! The petrichor of earth is spread all across the horizon and is simply enchanting. Those black clouds, cool breeze, sound of rain and gorgeous green panorama make every heart pound and playful.
But the kids, Oh! They simply go crazy. No force can stop them to run out of home and play in rain, make splashes off the mud water, make paper boats and sail them on the rain water flowing through alleysides. Parents are worried as theymight fall sick but who cares? After all they waited so long for these days to come. This is the story of three such divine kids – Jagannath (another name of Krishna), Balabhadra (or Balaram) and Shubhadra who played in rain, fell sick, got parent’s scolding and then went to Mausi’s (Maternal Aunt) place to spend rest of their vacation. Keep scrolling below to know how this one playful incident in the gods’ childhood, gifted us a grand festival named “RATHYATRA”.
In Odisha, lord Krishna is famous as Jagannath and is also nicknamed as Kaliya (owes to his dark complexion). His elder brother is called as Balabhadra and his younger sister is Subhadra.
Legend has it that when they were kids, they too loved to play and get drenched in rain like any other kid in the block. So, as the monsoon began, despite of a million ‘NOs’ from their parent they decided go out and enjoy in the rain. They played in rain for so long that all 3 of them got sick. The mother scolded them and put a strict restriction on them for going out (Even gods can’t defy the ‘MOMs’). She prepared a special herbal medicine called ‘Dasamula’ made up of many ayurvedic ingredients for her kids, drinking which they recovered soon. But, due to the restriction they can’t go out and play with friends, so they all sat by the window making grim faces. This was very hurting for the parents to see their innocent kids sad, so they decided to send the kids to their Mausi’s Home (Maternal Aunt) to spend rest of the vacation. Hearing this, kids got super excited as they would now get a chance to play with their cousins and will get yummy delicious foods cooked by Mausi. So, on ‘Asadh Shukla Dwitiya’ they packed their bags and set their journey forward in their respective chariots. Entire universe is danced of joy, celebrated and had a gala time because the divine one, who is the King of this universe (Jagannath) along with his siblings were happy and were visiting their favourite Aunt. Since then, this event has been celebrated as one of the most revered and grandeur festival in Sanatan Dharma – “The RATHYATRA”.
Rathyatra is primarily celebrated in the city of Puri in Odishabut how could Varanasi being the city of “7 vaar, 9 tyohar” remain untouched of such an epic carnival. Jagannath Temple in Varanasi was established in the year 1790 by the head priest of Jagannath Puri Dham Pt. Nityanand Pujari by the side of Ganga at Asi Ghat. Similar architecture as the one of Puritemple was adopted and similar looking wooden idols of 3 siblings were placed inside the sanctum sanctorum. It has been since then (200+ years!) the festival of Rathyatra is celebrated with equal zeal and equal faith same as in Puri. It’s a 5 day festival with great pomp & show. On Day 1 SnanYatra is performed in which the idols of the 3 deities are brought out in the courtyard and are poured with 108 pots of ritually purified water. This is the enactment of the kids getting drenched in rain which results to them falling sick. The next day, the herbal medicine “Dasamula” is prepared and is offered to the deities and they are restricted to go out for 2 days. Then on the 3rd day, as the deities recover, their chariot is prepared and they are made to sit inside and the chariot is pulled by the Kashi Naresh and the local men (Enactment of journey to Aunt’s place) all the way to a locality named as ‘Rathyatra’ and the chariot is placed there for 3 days.
Everyday 4 four-course meal is offered to the gods which include Misri, Makkhan, Panchmel, Parwal ki Sabzi (Pointed Gourd), Poori, Kohre-lauki ki sabzi, Dahi, Desi chini, kathal(Jackfruit) ka achar, Sooji ka halwa, Malpua, Aam(Mango) and obviously Pan. Oh, the trio simply love them!
The chariot used is a very special chariot made up of wood and is of octagonal shape. It has 14 wheels. It is 20 ft wide and 18 ft tall with the Indra Dhwaj (Flag installed by Lord Indra) at the top. Every year during Rathyatra, the first rain touches this flag. It is believed that, if in any year, the rain do not touch the flag, there are high chances of Droughts. This chariot is rolled for 5 revolutions everyday and locals get crazy to get an opportunity to pull the chariot. Pulling the chariot is believed to bring prosperity in wheel of life. It also gives a great lesson for life that the god is the world and world can only be moved when we are united. This unites people from all section of the society. The entire atmosphere is so lively and jovial that even the god feel like dancing and singing the song of joy.
A splendid fair is set up in this locality with sellers selling colourful artefacts, handicrafts, toys, balloons etc. Flower men sell flowers and holy basil (Jagannath’s favourite) is sold everywhere the eye rolls. Children have special fun in this festival as there are many rides and ‘merry go rounds’ are set up. But the special attractions are the seasonal cookie shopscalled ‘Nankhatai’ installed only this time. These are special cookies prepared during this festival and are made of Sooji, Maida(Refined wheat flour), Ghee, Dry fruits etc. People flock in huge number to these shops and make their purchases. They are Dry & Crispy, hence can last long.
This is one such rare festival in India, where the gods come out of their sanctum sanctorum and go round the entire city to meet their devotees. And why not, they are kids after all, no one can stop them! So, if it’s not possible for you to visit Puriduring this mega carnival, come and be a part of it in Varanasi. And, I can bet my life, you can’t stop yourself from immersing in its charisma and celebration.
Jay Jagannath
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