Rath Yatra 2014: Live Updates

Rath Yatra 2014 in Puri has started. Like every year, this year also the Jagannath Rath Yatra is being attended by thousands of pilgrims. The Ratha Yatra 2014 has started under a huge security cover since it is one of the most anticipated event of the year. People are waiting outside the Puri temple, waiting for the doors to open. The three colourful Rathas have been decorated and made ready for carrying the idols.

To quickly look into the history of Rath Yatra, this event has been a part of Odishan culture since 5000 years. Almost all Jagannath temples in India celebrate this annual festival of Rath Yatra. But it is celebrated in the most pompous manner at Puri in Odisha. Every year new chariots or Raths are made out of wood to carry the three idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra.

The carpenters who build the chariots start their work on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. The chariots are painted with bright colours and covered with red, yellow or green canopies. Usually Lord Jagannath's Rath has a red and yellow canopy, Balabhadra's Rath has red and green and Subhadra's Rath has red and black canopies.

The Rathas are then pulled and taken to the nearest gundicha temple. The Gundicha temple is supposed to be Lord Jagannath's aunt's residence. It is actually the temple built in honour of the Queen who was an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannath. On her request her husband built the great temple of Puri. Hence as a mark of gratitude, the deities visit her every year during the Rath Yatra.

So, as the action around the Rath Yatra 2014 unfolds, stay with Boldsky to get all the live updates of the event.

The Three Rathas Made Ready

The three Rathas of the deities, Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra are made ready for the Rath Yatra to begin. The chariot of Lord Jagannath is known as the Nandighosh or Chakradhvaja which means tumultous or a blissful sound. It weighs 65 tons. Balabhadra's chariot is known as the Taladhvaja which means powerful rhythm. Subhadra's chariot is called the Padmadhvaja or Darpadalan meaning destroyer of pride.

Huge Crowd

Like every year, Rath Yatra 2014 is being attended by thousands of devotees, waiting outside the temple to pull the ropes of the Rathas.

Tight Security

The Rath Yatra is one of the biggest event which is attended by huge number of people every year, both from India and outside. Hence the security seems to be extremely tight to manage the crowd.

People Waiting For Singhdwara To Open

As you can see, huge crowd awaits the deities outside the temple. People are waiting anxiously for the singha dwaras to open.

Balabhadra Taken Out

Lord Balabhadra is the elder brother of Lord Jagannath. His idol is the first to be taken out of the Puri temple.

Balabhadra Being Carried Amongst Celebration

The idol of Lord Balabhadra is being carried through the crowd into the Ratha.

Balabhadra Being Placed In Ratha

The idol of Balabhadra is being placed inside the Ratha by the people.

Live Darshan: Lord Balabhadra

Take a look at the idol of Lord Balabhadra from Rath Yatra 2014.

Goddess Subhadra At The Singha Dwara

Goddess Subhadra is being brought out of the temple.

Subhadra: Sister Of Balabhadra & Jagannath

Goddess Subhadra is the sister of Lord Balabhadra and Lord Jagannath.

Goddess Subhadra In Ratha

The idol of Goddess Subhadra is being placed inside the ratha.

Lord Jagannath At The Singha Dwara

Lord Jagannath being taken out of the Singhadwara.

Jagannath Being Carried

The idol of Lord Jagannath is being carried to His ratha through the crowd.

Millions Waiting

Crowd of millions waiting to pull the chariots outside the Puri temple.

Lord Jagannath Being Placed Inside Nandighosa

Lord Jagannath is being placed inside His ratha, Nandighosa.

Live Darshan: Lord Jagannath

Lord Jagannath fulfills all your desires if you pray to Him with a pure mind.

Lord Jagannath Inside Nandighosa

The idol of Lord Jagannath has been placed inside the ratha. The chariot pulling is about to begin.

Worshipping The Idols

A priest carried the puja samagri to worship the idols.

Idols Being Decorated

The three idols of Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath are being decorated.

King Ready With The Broom

The king of Puri getting ready to sweep the street for the chariots to pass.

The King Arrives

The Gajapati or king of Puri arrives.

King With The Golden Broom

Traditionally the king has to sweep the roads with a golden broom and only after that the Rathas would be dragged.

Ropes Being Tightened

The ropes for pulling the chariots are being tightened.

Finally, The Chariots Are Being Pulled

After the king sweeped the streets, the chariots began to be pulled by the people. These chariots will be taken to the Gundicha temple where the idols will rest for a week.