Kids anxiously wait for Rath Yatra. For them, it is not the religious aspect of the festival that is important, but the toys that come to the market and the sweets prepared only during the car festival. In Odisha, in small towns and villages, people wear new dresses during religious festivals. So, for kids, Rath Yatra is also a time to get a new dress. Orissa POST asked some kids about their plans for Rath Yatra day.
“I like to buy the toys that are available only during Rath Yatra. Different types of balloons and bubble making toys are among my favourites,” said Sthitipragnya. A class-VIII student, Sthiti often tops her class. She added, “I am very fond of sweets which are prepared only during Rath Yatra. I love to eat the different types of snacks available in the market along with my friends. My parents allow me to buy snacks and sweets freely only on festival days. Of course, I always keep hygiene in mind when buying from a vendor. Besides, I pull the chariots for a small distance. Even touching the rope that is attached to the chariots is considered a blessing, so I don’t miss the chance.”
For about two years now, Baibhav Biswaroop of Bhubaneswar has celebrated the Yatra at Jameswarpatna, in the Old Town of Bhubaneswar. He said, “When I was five or six years old, my father brought me along with the rest of my family to see the Yatra at Bhubaneswar. This year, I will pull the Rath here in Jameswarpatna, situated near the Lingaraj temple. What makes this festival unique is that children between the ages of seven and 12 are involved in all aspects of the festival. The kids do it all — from conducting the puja to taking out the procession, from taking part in the ‘pahandi’ to carrying and playing the traditional instruments. Most of the kids belong to the families of servitors of the Lingaraj temple. The kids here take out a procession by dancing to the tunes of songs, singing bhajans and performing folk dances. This year I am ready to pull the Rath with the other kids in Jameswarpatna and I am excited about it.”
Rath Yatra is a very special festival in Odisha, as people from across the state and outside come to Puri during that time. For Puri residents, it’s the most awaited festival, says Sreyashi Mohapatra, a Class III student of DAV Public School, Puri. “Every year, I eagerly wait for Rath Yatra. My relatives from the village come to our house. My father always says Lord Jagannath is the first God of Odias. I often visit Srimandir with my parents. I go with my family during the day to watch the Yatra and we enjoy the beautiful scene from the rooftop of a relative’s house. In the evening, I go with my father for an outing. The Pallishree fair after the festival is also very enjoyable. On all days of the fair, I go with my parents. I love to go around the shops from different places and also enjoy the huge variety of food.”
Anwesh Ashutam Bhanja, a Class II student of Carmel School, says, “Rath Yatra is a fun time for me. My mother prepares a small chariot made of thermocol. She makes sure to give final touches to the chariot two days before the commencement of the Rath Yatra so that she can then start other home decorations and preparations. On the Yatra day, we wake up early. I don the attire of a Brahmin to do all the rituals related to Rath Yatra. Our neighbours join us for the festivities. After the ‘chhera panhara’ ritual is done by me, I go along with my friends to pull the chariot. That’s not all. My mother prepares special dishes for the occasion. In the daytime, I enjoy khechudi, dalma and dahi bundi while for dinner I get kheer and puri. We have been celebrating the Chariot Festival for the last three years after my father came up with the idea. He oversees the event so that rituals do not get delayed.”
SOYONG, OP