Shree Jagannāth & Ratha Yātrā

Abstract

‘Shree Jagannāth’ is deeply associated with the universal religion that portrays the pure love and devotion of millions of people irrespective of any caste, creed and religion. The multi dimensional culture of our country is uniquely reflected in many ways in and through the Jagannath cult and spreads the message of noble ideal of human relationship of brotherhood and harmony. Neela Madhava of Oriya culture redefines the unification of the Hindu Trinity i.e. Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara and also reflects a synthesis of Pancha devatās: Vishnu, Shiva, Durgā, Ganesh and Surya at different point of time. Ratha yatra is the significant journey of the Lord to be one amongst many. The whole process makes the humanity feel that in front of Supreme Being all are equal. In the eyes of God, all are equal and the opulent should not be egoistic. The cult of Jagannāth is an unique integration of both Dvaita and Advaita traditions of Hindu Philosophy. Shree Jagannath spreads the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,i.e. the world is one family. The cult also reaffirms that human life is transitory and the individual soul (Brahman) enters into a new body after a particular period of time to ensure the birth and death cycle of life through His ritual of Navakalevara that occurs once in 12 years.