THE RATHJATTRA.
The scene represents the Rathjattra, or festival of the chariot, as it took place near Serampore, on the right bank of the Hoogly; and in this manner the ceremonies are performed in innumerable towns and villages in Hindostān; but the place most celebrated for this worship is the Temple of Jaganāth, in Orissa. In the scene representing a nāch, in the house of a Bengalī bābū, you beheld the figure of “Krishnŭ the Beloved” playing on a flute, standing by the side of the goddess Dūrga. At the Rathjattra, Krishnŭ is worshipped as Jaganāth or lord of the universe. In some period of Hindū history he was accidentally killed by a hunter, who left the body to rot under a tree where it fell. Some pious person, however, collected the bones of Krishnŭ, and placed them in a box, where they remained: a king who was performing religious austerities, to obtain some favour of Vishnū, was directed by the latter to form the image of Jaganāth and put inside these bones of Krishnŭ, by which means he should obtain the fruit of his religious austerities. The king inquired who should make this image, and was commanded to pray to Vishnŭ-Kŭrmŭ, the architect of the gods. He did so, and obtained his request; but the architect at the same time declared, that if any one disturbed him while preparing the image, he would leave it in an unfinished state. He then began, and in one night built a temple upon the blue mountain in Orissa, and proceeded to prepare the image in the temple; but the impatient king, after waiting fifteen days, went to the spot; on which the architect of the gods desisted from his work, and left the image without hands or feet. The king was very much disconcerted; but on praying to Brŭmha, he promised to make the image famous in its present shape. The king now invited all the gods to be present at the setting up of this image: Brŭmha himself acted as high priest, and gave eyes and soul to the god, which completely established the fame of Jaganāth. In the Museum is a small fac-simile of this god, which was brought from Pooree, in Orissa; and at its side is the seal with which the Brahmans stamp the worshippers on the breast and arms, and also a figure in black marble of Krishnŭ, highly ornamented. The height of the ruth, or chariot, is forty-two feet, supported on sixteen wheels, and the horses in front are of wood. Ropes are attached to the bars below; and the car, with the monstrous idol within it, is drawn by thousands of frantic devotees. Looking out from the top is seen the head of Jaganāth. The Brahmans adorn him during the festivals with silver or golden hands—an offering of a pair of golden ones is considered an act of great devotion.
One of the Hindū poets, in answer to the question, “Why has Vishnŭ assumed a wooden shape?” (alluding to the image of Jaganāth) says, “The troubles of his family have turned Vishnŭ into wood: in the first place, he has two wives, one of whom (the goddess of learning) is constantly talking, and the other (the goddess of prosperity) never remains in one place: to increase his troubles, he sits on a snake, his dwelling is in the water, and he rides on a bird.” All the Hindūs acknowledge it is a great misfortune for a man to have two wives, especially if both live in one house.
After many ceremonies have been performed, the god is drawn forth in his car, and at the expiration of eight days he is conveyed back to the place whence he came. The natives dance before the car, and the procession is accompanied with drums, tom-toms, horns, and all sorts of discordant native music.
Dancing is considered a religious ceremony among the Hindūs. The Brahmans consider it an act of devotion to the god.