Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra is being taken out in Puri, Odisha. Lord Jagannath goes out on a rath yatra with his siblings and then goes to Gundicha’s house. This journey is not just a religious program or celebration, but it is also a symbol of India’s cultural living. Crores of people living here who are divided into different communities and caste grooves, the rath yatra makes them unite. Here the distinction between high and low disappears and not only see God, but God also sees them. That is why it is said that Lord Jagannath has big eyes in Puri and it seems that he is looking at everyone with Nain.
The importance of ropes of chariot is equal to the chariot
Well, the Rath Yatra started at four o’clock on Friday evening and the chariot of Lord Balabhadra was drawn on the first day. The chariots are not drawn after sunset, so the remaining journey has started on Saturday. Devotees also gather to draw this chariot and they are eager to touch the rope drawn at least once. These ropes that pull the chariot are no less important, but their importance is equal to the chariot and the feeling of touching God itself is drawn by pulling these ropes.
Name of the rope of Lord Jagannath’s chariot
These ropes of chariots are known by their own different and special names. The name of the rope of Lord Jagannath’s chariot is Shankhchud. There is a legend in Puri that once a demon named Shankchud tried to kill Lord Jagannath as an incomplete statue. By doing this, he wanted to determine the faith of people on God, but Lord Balabhadra got angry after seeing such a behavior with his younger brother and he killed Shankhchud. Shankhchud wished God and said- he also wants to be in your service. Then Balarama made a rope from his pulse, spine etc., since then, this rope is used to pull the chariot of Lord Jagannath.
Shankhchud may be a demon, but by attaining salvation, he also became pure. This rope of his name is a symbol of salvation. Drawing a rope is a symbol of devotion and dedication of devotees. They help in pulling Lord Jagannath into his chariot, which is the disclosure of his love and reverence towards him. Pulling Lord Jagannath’s chariot with conch shell rope is important from both religious and traditional terms. It is a symbol of devotion to devotees, the culture of Odisha and the importance of the festival of Rath Yatra.
There is another story of a demon named Shankhchud. Asura Jalandhar, who opposed Lord Shiva, was a friend of Shankhchud. Shankhchud had Harikavach and he was helping the water with it. Lord Vishnu became a Brahmin and asked for his own armor from him. After this, Shankchud was killed in Shivji. Then Lord Vishnu gave Shankhchud a boon to get his work and get his devotion in Kali Yuga. Therefore, the name of the rope of his chariot is Shankhchud.
Similarly, in astrology, there is also a Kalsarp Dosha named Shankhachna Kalsarp Dosh. When all the planets in the horoscope are situated between Rahu and Ketu, then this defect is formed. This defect can bring many obstacles and conflicts in a person’s life, especially in the fields of luck, education, and relationships. Touching the rope of the rath yatra gives relief from this defect, it is believed.
Name of the rope of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot
Similarly, the rope of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot is named Vasuki (Basuki), Vasuki is a throat in the neck of Lord Shiva. On the basis of mythology, Vasuki is the younger brother of the remaining and Anant Nag. It is said that one day Vasuki came to his brother Shesh Nag and said that the example you have put in front of you like Laxman, there is no addition to the example of you, but I have never been able to get the opportunity to serve you like a younger brother.
Then Sheshnag ji said, Vasuki- don’t worry, when I become Baldau Balabhadra, I will also come to this world as Narayan’s elder brother, then you will definitely serve me. In the same Vasuki Jagannath Rath Yatra, the rope of Balabhadra’s chariot remains and by pulling this rope, devotees consider their good fortune.
The rope of Subhadra Devi’s chariot seems to be freedom from the bondage of Maya
Similarly, the name of the rope of the chariot of Subhadra Devi is Swarnachud. This rope is nothing else, Maya’s bond and is a trap of fascination. Through this rope, man is tied and trapped in the world between karma, relationship and bondage of his destiny. The rope of the chariot of Goddess Subhadra is a symbol of meeting the soul with the divine.