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Devotees flock Puri ahead of Rath Yatra

     Puri: Devotees are flocking in large numbers to Puri for the Rath Yatra, which is scheduled to begin on July 8. The devotees visiting the region however are not able to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, the three presiding deities of the shrine, who have retired to their 'sick chamber' to recover from their 'high fever' as maintained by tradition. According to tradition, the deities have high fever after their bath popularly known as 'snan yatra'. Hence they retire to 'anasar ghar' (the sick chamber). After their illness for a couple of weeks, the deities come out of their chamber a day before the Rath Yatra. The deities, hence do not give 'darshan' to devotees during this period. However, pilgrims coming to this town have an alternative. They can have a darshan at Alarnath temple in Bramhagiri about 22 km from Puri.

   According to folklore, Lord Alarnath, the presiding deity of Alarnath temple, is another form of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that those who can not worship Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra during their stay in the sick chamber can get the blessings of the three deities if they visit the Alarnath temple. For those who weren't aware of this, the visit to the temple was an experience to remember. "We were not aware that such a great holy ceremony is performed here, or that so many devotees ardewntly seek blessings here. But, now we know and believe in the deity too," said Sunil, a visitor. While, another visitor Anant C. Mishra said, "We have come here and are feeling very happy. It seems as if we are being truly blessed by Lord Jaganath here. Everything is perfect, the food the atmosphere. All's well here." The Puri district officials and Jagannath temple administration are expecting nearly 10 lakh devotees here on the day of Rath Yatra this year. One of the four celebrated religious centers of India, Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath needs no introduction. According to tradition Puri was once a thickly wooded hill inhabited by the Sabaras (Pre-Aryan and Pre-Dravidian tribes of the Austric linguistic family). The sunny beach at Puri is one of the finest in the world. Watching the sunrise in a symphony of colours is a wonderful experience. It is one of the most popular sea-side resorts where visitors from any part of the globe can comforta Places of tourist interest in Puri : The Temple of Lord Jagannath built during the 12th century A.D. by Chodaganga Deva dominates the landscape for kilometers around. Being the tallest temple (65 metres) in Orissa, it is one of the most magnificent pieces of monuments of India. In front of the main gate stands a 16 sided monolithic pillar (11 metres high), called Aruna Stambha which formally stood in front of the Sun Temple and was brought to Puri during the 18th century A.D. Some of the other important temples are Gundicha, Lokanath, Sunaragauranga, Daria Mahabir and Tota Gopinatt. There are also a number of holy tanks like Narendra, Markandeya, Sweta Ganga and Indradyumna. There are many Monasteries locally known as Mathas also of touristic interest.
-July 6, 2005