Rath Yatra: The Festival of Universal Brotherhood

Every year in Puri, Orissa, millions of people come from different parts of India and abroad to witness the grandest religious festival – Rath Yatra – in which Lord Jagannath along with his two siblings brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra take a nine-days sojourn to their aunt's house widely know as Gundicha Temple, in that comes out a unique message to this world of extreme diversity that the universal brotherhood still defies all isms, and if someone, with true spirit, engages himself or herself can even transform this world into a better place to live in.

The sea of humanity that spreads over three kilometers long Grand Road starting from Lord Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple reflects a manifestation of human belief system, maybe, on devotional ground, and that trust in itself speaks a volume about how social inclusiveness irrespective of caste, creed, gender, economic status can bind millions of hearts to a single democratic principle that all are equal under the sun. But in an extremely divisive world the message doesn't percolate down and stays valid for go. Somewhere we fail to understand that our ego and ism are more dangerous to the coexistence of social diversity.

Any festival that may look symbolic on surface has even a deeper meaning. However, the relevance of Rath Yatra has a wider impact on our social life. Rath Yatra spreads the message of secularism, universal brotherhood, and social harmony. On this occasion devotees of all caste, religion, and belief system come together to witness the splendor of a grand social congregation. Perhaps, that's the reason as to why this festival is widely observed across the world.