Rathajatra: An extraordinary annual sojourn from Ratnabedi to Janmabedi
॥ नीलाद्रौ शंखमध्ये शतदलकमले रत्नसिंहासनस्थं सर्वालंकारयुक्तं नवघन रुचिरं संयुतं चाग्रजेन । भद्राया वामभागे रथचरणयुतं ब्रह्मरुद्रेन्द्रवंद्यं वेदानां सारमीशं सुजनपरिवृतं ब्रह्मदारुं स्मरामि ॥ Such a holy and soulful day for all Odias in this Ashadha suklapakshya dwitiya tithi, moreover all humans throughout the globe, across the borders, oceans, and mountains. Lord Jagannath, his siblings elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Subhadra are out of Srimandir to Sri Gundicha leaving behind maa Srilaxmi. Such a great day for devotees who wait anxiously throughout the year for this annual journey. Today all those sins will be dissolved by seeing those chakanayanas. He is the ultimate savior. He has no full arms, yet He is Mahabahu. He has no eyelids, yet He stays alert thought-out the years. He has no full legs yet, He can run for His devotees and their devotions. Millions of devotees will offer their love and affection through their tears and open arms for...