All year round, the people of Odisha and the world await, with all their love and devotion, to witness the grandiose chariots of Jagannath Mahaprabhu and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. While this year, people have finally been granted permission to participate in the great Rath Yatra, choosing to stay back and seeing the Holy Trinity from home is also a great way to celebrate with your family and friends.
How to celebrate Rath Yatra at Home?
Rath yatra is the time when Lord Jagannath steps out of his home with his family. It is a time when he and his siblings travel to the Gundicha temple to visit their aunt and take a break after recuperating from illness.
So the best way to celebrate this festival of togetherness is with your own family! The three majestic Rath being pulled by devotion-filled servitors and masses is a sight to behold, even when at home. Here are some ways to celebrate Rath Yatra with your family:
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Watch the televised Rath Yatra together and share stories about the festival.
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Get your own small rath for the children at home so that they can pull it around and enjoy the feeling.
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Set up a little puja at home with your family.
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Prepare authentic delicacies and relish.
Bring Home Your Own Dhokra Jagannath
If you are having a puja at home, don’t forget to buy your very own idol of Lord Jagannath from Dhokra Handicrafts. The shiny, intricately carved and beautifully detailed Dhokra Jagannath idol has an attractive charm that gives you all the positive vibes you need.
The idol comes in two options - with pedestal and without one. The choice is yours to make based on the height and weight you’re looking for, all of which you’ll find in the details section of the products.
The best part about Dhokra handicraft products like Dhokra Jagannath is that they are long lasting, apart from their unique make. It is also a sustainable option and unlike the wooden figurines, they do not have to be replaced every year or in a matter of months.
How to Worship your Dhokra Idol on Rath Yatra?
When at home, doing a small puja for Lord Jagannath is generally customary at most houses. If you’re new to this here are few rituals that are commonly performed -
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Applying Sandalwood Paste: This is like a bathing and getting the Lord ready ritual, where sandalwood paste is applied to the idol which is considered to have a cooling effect.
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Flower Decoration: Go ahead and place all the fragrant fresh flowers around your Jagannath idol. The best part is you do not have to worry about water marks on the idol as Dhokra statues are very easy to clean.
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Lighting the Lamp: Light the diya, some incense sticks and candles before the God. To give an aesthetic finish to your Puja Room, don’t forget to add the Dhokra Diya to your cart. You can also keep your puja room clean and stain-free with the special Dhokra Candle Stands!
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Bhog & Offering: Once you’re done with the aarti and chanting the name of Jagannath Mahaprabhu, offer him coconuts (considered to be his favourite), poda pitha, khichdi and other delicacies prepared.
Enjoy the Family Time
The spirit of Rath Yatra is all about having a fun time with your family. So once you’re done with the rituals and puja, wish each other, watch the Rath Yatra and make the most out of this moment of togetherness. Happy Rath Yatra!
