In this article you will find the Origins of the Rath Yatra or Ratha Jatra of Sri Jagannatha in the Holy city of Puri. The article will triy to make you acclaimitised with the History, Myth, and the Chariot of Time, stay tuned….
Many of us share a deep curiosity about this grand festival. How did it begin? Why did it become so famous, embracing every single community within the Hindu faith? Intriguingly, followers of other ancient faiths also claim that similar chariot festivals once existed in their own traditions.
As the vibrant atmosphere of the Grand Rath Yatra takes over Puri, drawing millions into the spiritual fold of Sri Jagannatha, it is the perfect time I wanted to explore ancient scriptures and historical facts to answer these enduring questions. First and foremost: how old is the Rath Yatra (or the Car Festival)? Is it tied to the original establishment of the temple, when King Chodaganga Deva declared Puri the global epicenter of Vaishnavism? or much before it?
You know, Puri is the cradle of an ancient civilization on the banks of the Bay of Bengal, with roots that some scholars argue stretch back to the dawn of human history. The worship and culture of Sri Jagannatha did not flourish overnight; it took centuries, passing through different civilizations, to evolve into the refined rituals and grand celebrations we see today.
Dantapura
Interestingly, both Buddhists and Jains have historical traditions of chariot festivals. Some historians believe that ancient Buddhists originally started the Rath Yatra in Kalinga to celebrate the journey of Lord Buddha’s sacred relics. At that time, Puri was known as Dantapura—the holy city of Lord Buddha’s tooth relic.
The ancient Buddhist scripture Dathavamsa, originally written in the Pali language and later translated into English by Dr. Bimala Churn Law, offers a beautiful narrative that sheds light on this connection. I would like to share the same as mentioned by Pandit Surya Narayan Dash in his Book “Jagannatha Mandir o Jagannatha Tattwa.” It says:
During the reign of King Guhasiva in Kalinga, the kingdom was a vassal state under the powerful empire of Magadha. Guhasiva devoutly worshiped the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha, which he had inherited from his ancestor, King Brahmadatta. However, the Emperor of Magadha, King Pandu, adhered to orthodox Hindu traditions. Hearing of this powerful Buddhist relic, King Pandu ordered Guhasiva to bring the tooth to the capital of Magadha immediately.
Following his emperor’s command, King Guhasiva began his journey from Dantapura, placing the holy relic atop his own head as he rode on a beautifully crafted chariot. Along the road, crowds of weeping devotees gathered to pay homage, heartbroken that their sacred relic was being taken away to Magadha.
The surrender of Magadha
Yet, upon the relic’s arrival in Magadha, a miracle occurred. Witnessing the divine presence of the tooth, the Emperor was mesmerized and instantly transformed into a devotee. After some time, he sent the holy relic back to Dantapura on the very same chariot. Its return was marked by immense celebration, and the regular rituals resumed.
Because several historians identify the ancient city of Dantapura as modern-day Puri, many conclude that this legendary journey was the very first Rath Yatra in the region’s history.
While other scholars, such as the renowned Pandit Suryanarayan Dash, suggest that Ratnagiri may have been the true Dantapura, one fact remains undeniable: the Rath Yatra of Kalinga boasts a profoundly ancient origin that transcends a single religion, weaving together history, myth, and deep devotion.
