Rathyatra Mela Of Varanasi.

- July 01, 2022

Every year the City of Varanasi celebrates the divine festival of Rathyatra Mela (Rathyatra means Chariot Journey) this festival is associated to Lord Jagannath(who is Lord Krishna reincarnated in the form of Lord Vishnu) his elder brother Balabhadra and his younger sister Subhadra. There is very interesting story behind this festival being celebrated. Continue reading my Blog to find out the reason.

Picture showing Lord Jagannath at the extreme right(with dark complexion, Sister Subhadra in the middle and Brother Balabhadra in the extreme left)

The Story

Let us all get back in our childhood where we all loved to play in the rainy season, splash water on our siblings, play with mud water and when our parents scold for getting sick "Tabiyet kharab hui to doctor ke paas nahi le jaungi" we all started feeling sad and look out of the window thinking of again playing in the rain outside. This is the story similar to three divine kids namely Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra who too loved to play with each other in the rainy season, splashing water on each other playing with mud water, fell sick and get scolded by their parents. During this time their Mother prepared a special herbal dish for them called "Dasamula" made of Ayurvedic ingredients. After drinking it they soon recover from their illness. Seeing their unhappiness to play again their parents decided to send them to their Mausi's house for playing, listening this the trio started jumping with Joy and Happiness. They finally sat on their Chariot and left for their Mausi's house since then this day is being celebrated as "RATHYATRA" is many parts of India especially Puri(Odissa) and Varanasi(Uttar Pradesh).

The Celebration in Varanasi

This is festival is celebrated in Varanasi at Rathyatra a place named after the festival itself. It is one of the most important and Joyful festival celebrated in the divine city of Kashi where thousands to Dieties gather together to celebrate this festival with their lord Jagannath. During the festival which is usually celebrated for 3-4 days, the entire area is decorated with lights, merry go rides for children, the shopkeepers selling toys for making the kids and Lord Jagannath happy and a special sweet called "Nan Khatai" which is prepared especially during this festival and which is also believed to be the favourite food of the Lord. Every day the Chariot is moved a small distance ahead and the devotees wait for this time as it is believed that one who pulls the chariot he will be blessed by Lord Jagannath with Peace and Prosperity in his life the wheel of the Chariot is also believed to be the wheel of Happiness. This festival was started in the year 1802.

Nan Khatai(a special sweet dish)

Firangi: It is selled during the mela

The Chariot

This is a special chariot made out of ritually blessed wood and made by a company named Manik Auto Engineering. This chariot has 14 wheels, 20ft wide and 18ft tall with Indra Dhwaj at the top of it. Every year the first rain touches this flag it is believed that if rain does not takes place and if it does not touches the Indra Flag then that year is believed to be affected with Drought.