RATH YATRA
Ashad sud Dooj/Beej (2)
RATH YATRA is performed on the auspicious day of Ashad sud Beej(2)* in PUSHYA nakshatra. On this day thakurji is made seated in the chariot (rath) by Shri
Yashodaji and the rath is taken to every Vrajvasi's residence to fulfill their manoraths.
Generally Thakurji is made seated in the rath which is without horses as Prabhu is BALSWARUP and can get scared of horses.
The horses are attached only when the swaroop is of Kishor bhavna. In Kishor bhavna, Prabhu and Shri Swaminiji sit in the rath surrounded by the sakhis and
two sakhas take form of horses and pull the cart.
Translation and Photographs from Seva Reeti Preeti Vraj Jan Ki
Ashad Sud 2 - Rath Yatra
Kirtan
Jai Shri Jagannath Hari Deva,
Rath Baithe Prabhu Adhik Birajat, Jagat Karat Sab Seva---------(1)
Sanak Sanandan Aur Brahmadik, Indradik Jur Aaye,
Apni Apni Bhet Sab Le, Gagan Vimanan Chaaye------------------(2)
Ratna Jatit rath Neeko Laagat, Chanchal Ashv Lagaaye,
Nar Naari Anand Bhaye, Ati Pramudit Mangal Gaaye------------ (3)
Gaari Det Divaavat Apan pe, Yah Vidh Rath Hi Chalaaye,
"Ramray" Shri Govardhanvaasi, Nagar Udeesa Aaye-------------(4)
" Shri Hariraiji " explains the Bhaav Bhavna of Rath Yatra as follows:
Our "body is the chariot (rath)" and the "10 senses (indriya) are the horses" pulling this rath. Our "Man (conscience) is the charioteer",
our "mind/intellect is the reins (lagaam)" to drive the chariot and our "Atma (soul) is the passenger of this chariot".
Shriji in Rath Yatra's Shringaar
Seva Prakaar
After mangla aarti abhyang of Prabhu should be done and for the whole day Thakurji should be offered Boondi along with other saamagris in all the bhogs.
A day prior to the manorath the rath has to be decorated with colorful jhalar made of colorful silk clothes.
The pichwai and the chandarva of the rath should be red and the other pichwai and chandarva should be white.
Prabhu must be made seated in the rath along with the gaadi, takiya after Rajbhog aarti and from today the aalapchari of raag Malhaar starts, so kirtan in
raag malhaar starts from today.
The vastras adorned to thakurji should be of Doriya Pichoda with Golden border, white Kuleh with golden border, 5 Jod chandrika and also the ornaments
adorned to thakurji should be heavy and two layered. Thada vastra is kesari.
From Rath Yatra the "Greeshmakaaleen Seva" (summer Seva) comes to an end i.e. the water fountain, the curtains of khas, kunja, chandan and plate filled
with water in front of Singhasan are stopped being used and similarly the dahi bhaat in Rajbhog and the pana in anosar is also not offered to Prabhu from
this day.
But, if the heat persists then the kunja and all the above mentioned things are placed/offered to Prabhu till Ashad Sud Poonam (15) - Guru Poornima.
Even though Rath Yatra is an auspicious Utsav, our Prabhu adorns "Shwet/white" vastras to mark the day of Shri Vallabhacharyaji Shri Mahaprabhuji's
"Aasurvyamohleela" i.e. when aapshri left the material body after the 3rd time aagnya of the lord to become one with the almighty Prabhu.
In the evening the umbrella of the chariot is removed. On this very day Shri Vallabh did Aasurvyamohleela.
So, this body (chariot/rath) is the medium, with 10 senses pulling this chariot along with its charioteer the "Man" and the mind as its reins, through which
a person (jeev) surrenders everything along with the "Atma" to the "Prabhu" from whom he has been separated for thousands of years.
*Generally the Utsav of Rath Yatra falls on the day of Ashad Sud 2 but as this Utsav is celebrated taking into account the Pushya Nakshatra, so sometimes
there is minor change in the tithi.
The actual Utsav of Rath Yatra was celebrated when the lord Jagannathji was made
seated in the rath and was taken to Janakpur - his birthplace.
His rath consists of 16 wheels, Shri Baldevji's rath consists of 12 wheels and
Shri Subhadraji's rath consists of 8 wheels.
One fine day Shri Gusaiji went to the yatra of Shri Jagannathji where this manorath
is actually performed since very ancient times. On this day Prabhu told Shri Gusaiji to
perform the same manorath in PUSHTIMARG and hence this manorath is performed
on the auspicious day when the PUSHYA nakshatra is seen.
