Friday 11 June 2010

Ratha Yatra, Nashik



A festival called Janmotsava is celebrated at Sansthan Shri Kalaram Mandir, Panchavati, Nashik every year. The festival, which spans 15 days begin from the first day of Chaitra till Chaitra Purnima. The Janmotsava, which is witnessed by thousands of pilgrims takes place exactly at 12 noon. 

The main attraction of the festival is the rathyatra that takes place on the second day, in which Shri Ram rath and Garuda rath moves through the Nashik city. The Rathyatra starts at about 4.30 p.m. The Rathyatra is made up of 5 links, 1st is the bullock cart of Sanai / Choughada, followed by the Palkhi of Shri Ramachandra, Pujadhikari, Garudarath (the rath of Lord Hanuman) and finally the Ramrath (the rath of Lord Rama). 

The pujadhikari walks with the rath all the way it is moving by facing towards the rath with folded hands. He maintains fasting, which starts from day one of the Chaitra to the Rathyatra. Both the raths are pulled by the rath sevakas with using heavy rope. 

Nashik is well connected by road, air and train with rest of India. Hotels are available in Nashik.

Do Visit