✨Jagannath Rath Yatra - जगन्नाथ रथ यात्रा

Hera Panchami, is a ritual performed during the period of Rath Yatra in Jagannath Dham, Puri, Odisha. On the fifth day of Rath Yatra, this ritual performs by Mata Mahalaxmi in the bright fortnight of Ashadha (month).

Hera Panchami takes place at Gundicha Temple. On this day Lakshmi Mata, wife of Bhagwan Jagannath from the main temple arrives in the Gundicha temple as Suvarna Mahalakshmi. They are taken from the temple to the Gundicha temple in the palki (palanquin), where the pujari take them to the Garv Griha and make them meet Bhagwan Jagannath. Suvarna Mahalakshmi urges Bhagwan Jagannath to walk back to his Dham Shrimandir, the main temple of Puri.

Bhagwan Jagannath accepts his request and gives a garland (Agyan Mala) to Mata Lakshmi as his consent. Then in the evening, Mata Lakshmi returns from the Gundicha temple to the Jagannath temple. Before returning to the main temple, she gets angry and orders one of her servants to damage a part of Nandigosh, Bhagwan Jagannath's Rath (Chariot). This is called chariot breach (Rath Bhang).

Mata Mahalaxmi instructs all these things by hiding behind a tamarind tree outside the Gundicha Temple. After some time she escapes to Jagannath temple in secrecy through a separate pathway known as Hera Gouri Sahi (Lane).

As per Skanda Puran, Hera Panchami is one of the important rituals of Srimandir. Lakhs of Bhagwan Jagannath devotees enjoy this unique ritual.

From the day of Devshayani Ekadashi, Bhagwan Jagannath goes into his sleep for four months. Before this, Prabhu Jagannath must return to his main temple.

Hence, after the 8th day of the rath yatra, the journey to return to its main temple on Dashami date is known as Bahuda Yatra. During the Bahuda Yatra, Bhagwan Jagannath little bit stop at Devi Ardhasini`s house and take podapitha(Jaggery Sweet) as bhog. This temple of Maa Ardhasini is also known as Mausi Maa (Aunt of Bhagwan Jagannath) Temple.

Before Ratha Yatra and Bahuda Yatra another interesting ritual performed, which is called Snan Yatra. Preparations for the ritual of Jagannath Rath Yatra begins long before the 18 day of Rath Yatra. On the day of Snan Yatra, the deities are bathed with 108 pots of ritually purified water drawn from the northern well of Jagannath temple to the accompaniment of religious incantations.

After the Snan Yatra, the Gods are traditionally believed to fall ill for 15days. During this period known as Anasara the Gods cannot be seen by devotees. After 15days the deities recovered and give darshan to the bhakt’s. Which is called Nava Yoban Darshan or Netroutsav. The next day, Rath Yatra festival happen! Blog: Corona quarantine alike Bhagwan Jagannath’s Anasara