Jagannath Rath Yatra and Ashadhi Bij | 12 Jul 2024

Source: PIB

Recently, the PM greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra and Ashadhi Bij, the Kutchi New Year. The CM of Gujarat performed the 'Pahind Vidhi,' the symbolic cleaning of the path for Jagannath's chariot for the Rath Yatra.

  • Jagannath Rath Yatra: It is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the journey of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, and his younger sister Goddess Subhadra from their home temple in Puri, Odisha to their aunt’s temple in Gundicha, about three kilometres away.
    • The festival dates back to at least the 12th century CE, when the Jagannath temple was built by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva.
    • The festival is also known as Festival of Chariots, as the deities are carried on three massive wooden chariots that are pulled by devotees with ropes.
    • It begins on the second day of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashadha (June-July) and lasts for nine days.
  • Ashadhi Bij:
    • It falls on the second day of Shukla paksha of Ashada month of Hindu calendar.
    • The festival is associated with the beginning of rains in the Kutch region of Gujarat.
    • During Ashadhi Bij, the moisture in the atmosphere is checked to predict which crop would do best in the coming moa
Traditional New Year Festivals in India
Name Features
Chaitra Shukla Pratipada Marks the beginning of the new year of the Vikram Samvat also known as the Vedic (Hindu) calendar.
Gudi Padwa and Ugadi Celebrated in the Deccan region including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Navreh Lunar New Year celebrated in Kashmir. Falls on the first day of the Chaitra Navratras.
Sajibu Cheiraoba Celebrated by Meiteis in Manipur. Observed on the first day of Manipur lunar month Shajibu.
Cheti Chand Celebrated by Sindhi community. Birth anniversary of Ishta Deva Uderolal/Jhulelal, the patron saint of Sindhis.
Bihu Celebrated thrice a year - Rongali or Bohag Bihu in April, Kongali or Kati Bihu in October and Bhogali or Magh Bihu in January.
Baisakhi Celebrated as the Indian thanksgiving day by farmers. Foundation of the Khalsa Panth was laid on this day by Guru Gobind Singh.
Losoong Also known as Namsoong, is the Sikkimese New Year. 

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