Early in July, Hindus celebrate the Rathayatra festival. Rathayatra is derived from two words 'ratha' meaning chariot and 'yatra' implying 'journey'; therefore, as the name suggests, Rathayatra is the journey or procession of Lord Krishna in his 'Ratha'.
Furthermore, one can find two different interpretations for the Rathayatra. One school is of the opinion that Rathayatra signifies Lord Krishna's travel from Gokul or Mathura; but the second school also seems to draw reference with the chariot procession of the Buddha's tooth at Dantapuri, the old Puri.
On this day, the tutelary deities, namely Lord Krishna, Balaram and Subhadra are installed on huge chariots, and devotees from all parts of the country come together to pull the the chariot in its journey through the streets.
In Gujarat the Rathayatra festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy. In Gujarat, glorious processions are conducted by the cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Bhavnagar, etc. People throughout Gujarat make replicas of the gigantic Ratha to commemorate the festival.
What is significant about Rathayatra is that people from all the communities come together to pull the chariot of Lord Krishna. It is, in fact, held as a privilege to have drawn the chariot of the Almighty. This secular nature of Rathayatra owes much to the Jagannath cult.
The Rathayatra is, in fact, among the most important festivals in Gujarat which is celebrated in order to pay their homage to their tutelar God, Ranchhod.
Last Updated on : 30 September 2011
