Ahaṅkāra-Vimūḍhātmā

A lwAys E mbr A c E d by K åñë A

Balabhadra and Subhadrä in that ecstatic form and this was his request.8

Festival of the Chariots

There are many festivals each year in Puré. The most important festival is the Ratha-yäträ or the Chariot festival in June. This spectacular festival includes a procession of three huge chariots bearing the Deities of Jagannätha, Balabhadra and Subhadrä through the Bada Daëòa, the Grand Avenue of Puré till Their final destination, the Guëòicä temple. Millions of devout followers attend this festival of the chariots.

Ratha-yātrā

General Instructions

“...In Viñëu Dharma it is stated that, añäòhasya site pakñe dvitéyä puñyä saàyutä, in the month of Añäòha, on this tithi, the second day of the bright fortnight, on the puñyä-nakñatra, when the star (nakñatra) of Puñyä appears, that is the day scheduled for Jagannätha Ratha-yäträ to be held. This is also described in the Skanda Puräëa. Jagannätha will come outside with Subhadrä and Balaräma in ratha and one should observe this festival. That nakñatra does not come every year; it only comes in a special year. If there is no puñyä-nakñatra on this tithi, the second day of the bright fortnight of Añäòha, then Ratha-yäträ should still be observed according to the tithi. However, when the puñyä-nakñatra comes then it is very auspicious. The Ratha-yäträ festival should be observed by preparing many varieties of nice palatable sweet food for Jagannätha, Baladeva and Subhadrä. You may distribute and feed the brähmaëas and Vaiñëavas. For seven days the ratha should stay at the Guëòicä Mandira. In the Western world the