Rathotsava
By Swami Harshananda
Rathotsava literally means ‘festival of the temple chariot’.
The biggest festival organised in any temple is called ‘brahmotsava’. It is generally spread over a number of days. The rathotsava is an important part of this festival and is usually held two days before the conclusion of all the ceremonies.
The ratha[1] is a replica of the temple. It is richly decorated along with the utsavamurti[2] and taken around the important streets of the town. It is halted in certain specified places so that the common people can offer their worship almost at their door-step. Ratha is drawn by the devotees. No distinction is made of caste or creed. There are number of religious rites connected with the rathotsava which should be observed scrupulously.
References[edit]
- ↑ Ratha means temple-car or chariot.
- ↑ Utsavamurti means processional image.
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore