In the world of machines and software, it is all powered by logic and algorithms, which, to some extent, force us to doubt the importance of spirituality. But I have had several experiences in my life which had very high spiritual relevance. There are certain questions which science can never answer, no matter what. Those who believe in a divine force call it spiritual power and those who don’t call it luck or coincidence. For me Lord Jagannath is not only that spirituality but also my luck.
The gigantic festival of rath yatra has many special memories tied to it. The swarm of devotees, the royal walk of the deities coming out of the temple being escorted to the grand chariots — everything about the festival makes it special.
I remember when I was in school, all members of our family used to watch the live telecast of the world-famous event on television with that typical and very original style of commentary. Though my profession keeps me busy in Pune and Bangalore now, that Oriya flavour in the commentary of the Jagannath culture experts lending a mesmerising ambience to the pictures of passionate devotees and the people’s Lord smiling on His chariot, still pulls me to the television, arousing those nostalgic memories of the entire neighbourhood echoing the excitement of the festive mood. Reminiscence of being a part of the engineering of a home-made chariot with small idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra comes alive on watching the telecast even today.
Though I have never been lucky to visit the holy town of Puri during this magnificent festival, I have been there very close to the rath yatra day. It is a belief that we can’t get a glance of Mahaprabhu as and when we wish — it has to be His approval that people get lucky to see Him. Though I’m not the kind of person who believes in just saying things, but then I have had some mysterious experiences related to Him which otherwise would have been highly illogical and unbelievable coincidences.
Rath yatra is not only a one-of-its-kind festival that attracts lakhs of devotees, tourists and visitors from all over the world, but for me, it signifies the importance of visiting relatives and spending quality time with them, dropping in for a vacation and enjoying things I love to do the most.
Somewhere I feel, the festival could become better than the Tomatino festival of Spain or Songkran of Thailand owing to its huge attendance. For that, I feel better law and order arrangements, security, better municipal activities and of course, support from the tourism department in the form of subsidies/duty-free products would be important.
