Rathayatra of Devi Durga

 Rathayātrā of Ādi Parāśakti 

The Rathayatra (the festival of the journey by chariot ) of Lord Jagannātha is famous throughout the world. But Śaktism has also their own Rathayātrā. 

Śākta Rathotsava is observed on the day of Āṣāḍha Śukla Tṛtīyā. 

आषाढशुक्लपक्षीयतृतीयायां रथोत्सवम्। देव्याः प्रियतमं कुर्य्याद्यथावित्तानुसारतः ।।६ ३।।

रथं पृथ्वी विजानीयाद्रथाङ्गे चन्द्रभास्करौ। वेदानश्वान्विजानीयात्सारथिं पद्मसम्भवम् ।। ६४।।

नानामणिगणाकीर्णं पुष्पमालाविराजितम्। एवं रथं कल्पयित्वा तस्मिन्संस्थापयेच्छिवाम् ।। ६५।। 

लोकसंरक्षणार्थाय लोकं द्रष्टुं पराम्बिका। रथमध्ये संस्थितेति भावयेन्मातमान्नरः ।।६६।। 

रथे प्रचलिते मन्दं जयशब्दमुदीरयेत् । पाहि देवि जनानस्मान्प्रपन्नान्दीनवत्सले ।। ६७।।

~ Śiva Mahāpurāṇa : Umā Śaṅhitā : 51th Chapter 

The Śiva Purāṇa says, On the bright third day of the month of Āṣāḍha, one should celebrate the Rathotsava of Devī Pārvatī . In the said celebration, the earth should be made as the chariot, the sun and the moon should serve as wheels, the Vedas should be the horses, while Brahmā should serve as a charioteer ( driver of the chariot). 

The chariot made with such an imagination, should be decorated with the garland and the flower garlands. The goddess Śivă should be lodged therein, thereafter. 

An intelligent person should think in his mind, that the supreme mother goddess was lodged in the chariot for the observing as well as the protection of the people. 

With the moving of the chariot quite slowly, the slogans of victory should be shouted and also say, "O goddess, you bestow your grace on the down trodden and destitutes, we are your devotees, therefore, you save us." 

Devī Purāṇa also describes the Rathotsava of Śaktism. 

भूयन्ते संप्रवक्ष्यामि देब्याराधनमुत्तम्। यत् कृत्वा सर्वकामाणां व्याप्तिस्तृप्तिर्भविष्यति। दस्तिदन्तमर्वैदण्डैर्हेमवद्धैः सुशोभनैः।।

विचित्रपद्मरागाद्यैर्मणिभिष्पोपशोभितैः। रथ तैः कारयेद्देव्याः सप्तभौमं मनोहरम।। 

दुकूलवस्त्रसंछन्नमर्द्धचन्द्रेण शोभितम्।  घण्टाकिङ्किणीशब्दाढ्यां चामरैः कन्दुकान्वितैः।। 

पताकाध्वजशोभाढ्यां दर्पनैरुपशोभितम्। तं रथं पूजयेच्छक्रं जातीकुसुममन्दकैः।। 

पारिजातकपुष्पैश्च यक्षकर्द्दमचन्दनैः।  सुगन्धिधपितं कृत्वा देवीं तत्र निवेशयेत्।। 

प्रतिमां शोभनां वत्स महासुरक्षयङ्करीम्।  पूजयेद्रथविन्यस्थां सर्वमङ्गलमङ्गलाम्।। 

दुर्गा कात्यायनी देवी वरदा विन्ध्यवासिनी। निशुम्भशुम्भमथनी महिषासुरघातिनी।। 

उमा क्षमावती माता शङ्करार्धकायिका। प्रसीदतु सदा मेहस्तु यच्चना वाञ्छितं हृदि।। 

अनेन बलिपूर्वेण नमस्कारयुतेन च।। 

पूजयित्वा ततो नेया समस्ताप्सरगीतकैः।। 

~ Devī Purāṇa  : 31th Chapter 

Brahmā said, - I am talking again about the worship of the goddess; All the best for what you do. One should build the chariot of the goddess with ivory, gold, padmarāga stone, etc., and cover it with beautiful clothes and build the half-moon over it. Musical sounds such as bells and kinkinis should be played around the chariot. Chāmara, flags, mirrors, etc. should be decorated all around it. O Indra! Jātī Pārijāta etc. flowers should be used in the worship of that chariot and sandle, dhūpa etc should be used for incense . Then an idol of Devī Pārvatī should be installed in it. Sarvamangalmangala, Mahasura's decaying beauty goddess will be installed in the goth and worshiped. After that one should recite "Oh Durgā, Kātyāyanī, Devī Vardā, Vindhyavāsinī, slayer of Niśumbha-Śumbha, Mahiṣamardinī, Umā, Kṣamāvatī, half part of Śaṅkara, be pleased with me, bestow the fruit of the heart's desire" and then bow down before offering the sacrifice. Thus she should be transported by her chariot and Sādhaka should sing for her. 

This is a short description of Devī's Rathotsava. This festival is a part of the 16 festivals of Śaktism. 

Thank You 😊