Inclusive Rath Yatra by We4You empowers over 100 visually impaired children to experience Lord Jagannath’s divine journey in Bhubaneswar
Dr Aditi Panda
With the current global fervorabout RATH YATRA, the entire attention is focused on the different perspectives and stories around this divine festivity observed worldwide by all, and since Lord Jagannatha resides in Puri along with his SiblingsLord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, it’smore in Odisha.
Over the years, our elders and the locals shared several stories about this spiritual journey to explain the purpose behind the tradition of the yatra. One legend states that Goddess Subhadra once said she wanted to visit the spectacular city of Puri. Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra granted her wish by taking her to the city on a unique chariot ride. The Rath Yatra is the journey of all three deities from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
Alternatively, according to a different belief, Lord Jagannath visits his devotees who are unable to enter the temple once a year. He exits the temple and rides in large chariots during the Rath Yatra so that everyone can see him and receive blessings from him, signifying love, spiritual connection, and equity and proving that God is for everyone and gives blessings to all equally sans discrimination. Thousands of people from all walks of life wait all year to take part in this sacred occasion to draw Lord Jagannath’s chariotand demonstrate solidarity. Pulling the chariot during the Jagannath Ratha Yatra, according to many devotees, gives blessings, happiness, serenity, and spiritual development.
Ratha Yatra’s spiritual significance goes far beyond the event itself. Lord Jagannath is thought to symbolize the soul, while the chariot represents the human body. Pulling the chariot serves as a reminder to follow the path of truth and goodness in life. A person’s spiritual path in life is symbolized by a sacred pilgrimage from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple teaching followers to remain committed to God, let go of materialistic belongings, and put their belief on God’s guiding path.
This year, the celebration gained a new dimension, INCLUSION. Empathy and empowerment seem to be the two most important things in a time when technology and finance govern the world. This is especially true for children with disabilities who often want to share this divine experience by participating in the Yatra in Puri, which is a herculean task as lacs of devotees’ throng puri during that time. The children, especially who are blind or are visually Impaired want to see their lord during this time which is a lifetime experience to cherish.
For the We 4You team and volunteers, the idea became a reality thanks to Lord Jaganath’s blessings and grace. Founded in 2010, We 4 You is a registered charitable trust situated in Bhubaneshwar that is dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities and enhancing marginalized communities. Through initiatives for sustainable livelihoods, assistive technologies, inclusive education, and skill development, this charitytrust works to create an accessible equitable society. The team works directly with children who have vision impairments and fully identifies the needs and difficulties specific to their condition. Ms. Mani Ji Surabhajhala, who is closely affiliated with We4you, helped the team to conceptualize this whole plan to turn this into reality for the children who had been sharing their aspiration and desire with them. According to Ms. Mani, “Rath Yatra takes place on specific days that cannot be changed, and discussions and planning can go on for years. In order to provide these wonderful children with the experience they have been longing for, we had to act now rather than wait another year.
“It demanded rapid planning as well as teamwork to put everything together in a short span of time to put our vision into reality.The most challenging step was locating the Mausi Ma temple, where the Rath could stay for nine days. The Rath would be housed in the temple, and a priest had to be assigned to take care of the deities till Bahuda Yatra while adhering to eachritual as per the system followed in Puri. The idols and Jagannath Rath were transported from Puri to Bhubaneswar.From Prana Pratishtha until the gods were carried on their chariots for the sacred rath yatra, every act was done out methodically in accordance with the directives provided by the priests in Puri. There are some definite traditions that need to be followed, and as it was our first time, we were quite cautious because we didn’t want anything to go wrong”, shared Mr. Abhaya Mohanta, Founder Trustee and Managing Chairperson, WE4You.
WE4YOU’s Enable Hub, a Skill Development Training Center for Visually Impaired Students in Bharatpur, Bhubaneswar, was the starting point of the momentous journey. To create a divinely elevating vibe prior to the ritual of pulling of the sacred chariot, the yatra commenced with spiritual prayers before Lord Jagannath, followed by the Mahaprasad Sevan to all. Along with committed volunteers, supporters, and members of the community, over 100 visually impaired children proudly pulled the chariot along the allottedpath. The procession came to an end, at Om SriMalim Banadurga Temple (Mausima Mandir), Bharatpur, where the children and were happy to thank the lord for fulfilling their dream.
Children who are visually impaired have sharp senses and don’t hesitate to express their thoughts. We engage with them frequently at We4You and are cognizant of their level of fulfillment. They had expressed their desire to take part in this Rath Yatra for years, and each year we would discuss the best ways to make it happen. With the grace of the Lord himself, we were able to make their dream come true because of our immensewish to make it happen and the even stronger desire of our children”, sharedSatya a young, dedicated project manager at We4you.
In addition to reiterating that persons with disabilities should have equal opportunity to appreciate and celebrate Odisha’s rich cultural and spiritual history, the event exemplified the ideals of inclusion, self-respect, equality, and community engagement. Taking cue from this initiative, maybe we have more Inclusive Rathyatras next year in different pockets of the world.
(The author is a development sector professional. Views expressed are personal.)
