Rathyatra, also known as the 'festival of chariots' is a Hindu festival celebrating the journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Lord Baldev and Subhadraji.
The holy chariots bring together people from all walks of life and unites them in a spirit of devotion. The act of pulling the ropes is an opportunity of cleansing for millions of devotees.
Rathyatra, also known as the 'festival of chariots' is a Hindu festival celebrating the journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Lord Baldev and Subhadraji.
The holy chariots bring together people from all walks of life and unites them in a spirit of devotion. The act of pulling the ropes is an opportunity of cleansing for millions of devotees.
The inception of Rathyatra dates back to 1878. It was believed that Lord Jagannath appeared in the dreams and visions of Narsimhadas after which he started celebrating the festival.
The people of the city soon started joining this holy cause.
There are a few rituals that take place before the day of the festival. Jaljaatra is a custom that usually precedes everything else. It marks an auspicious beginning.
This is followed by Netrostav. It is believed that consumption of 'jamun' affects the eyes of the Gods and they are treated by covering their eyes with clothes.
Ahmedabad is a city that is replete with history. The city of old Ahmedabad where the procession takes place is a scenic and historic heritage which becomes an object of interest for photo fanatics.
Rathyatra brings together people from all age groups, cultural, linguistic, religious and ethnic backgrounds. It becomes a breathing organism that exudes the diversity of our nation.
The holy chariots bring together people from all walks of life and unites them in a spirit of devotion. The act of pulling the ropes is an opportunity of cleansing for millions of devotees.
A day among the devotees with your unique lens. Capture enchanting and exhilarating visuals and bring out the pride of Gujarat
Gujarat is home to some of the most diverse communities. With over eleven dialects of Gujarati there is an intersectional population who speak different languages. The state is also rich with dance and folk music which adds a different flavour of authenticity to proceedings
Gujarat is a home to a number of places with historic and cultural significance. The Dwarkadish temple, one of the 'Chaar Dhaams' and the 450 years of Jagannath Mandir, established by Sadhu Sarangdasji are some of the religious wonders of the state.
The Rathyatra provides a spectacular platform for local artisans and artists to display their craft to a huge population of devotees. It is a community-centered festival and it aids in creating a sense of solidarity and brotherhood between different communities.
Rathyatra celebrates the journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balaram and their younger sister Subhadra from their place of worship to their uncle's house on the day of 'Ashad Shukla'. It is believed that wherever his chariots pass by, the place is blessed with fortune. Millions of devotees gather to participate in his glorious journey and pull the ropes of the chariots as a symbol of surrender to the supreme god. In Ahmedabad Rathyatra is a festival that attracts millions of devotees and is one of the largest festivals in the western coast of India having huge cultural significance.
The Rathyatra in Ahmedabad starts off from the Jagannath Temple at Jamalpur and the three chariots visit the Saraspur temple. You can reach the Rathyatra by visiting the Jagannath temple on the day of the festival. The rituals begin early in the morning at 4 with the Aarti and continue till late evening in the same day.
The Rathyatra is an occasion that brings people from different corners of the world and the footfall crosses the 30 lakh threshold during the day. In order to stay safe during the crowded march, make sure that you are always hydrated, well fed and wear covered shoes. The Rathyatra is a festival of extreme emotions so make sure that you stay supportive towards your fellow devotees and avoid instigation.
There are different places to visit nearby including different religious institutions that demonstrate a huge cultural diversity of Ahmedabad. The Rathyatra takes place in the heritage city of Ahmedabad which is famous for it's vintage houses and street art aesthetics. You can also visit the Sabarmati riverfront. a revered river in the history of India.
