We are pleased to announce our 37th symposium and invite scholars and public intellectuals to write to us at namaste@indica.org.in if they wish to present their insights on the following topic:
JATRAS
The Sacred Hindu Congregations
A Study from Classical, Folk, and Forest Dweller Texts and Traditions
The word Jatra refers to large Hindu sacred congregations. The term mela, found in expressions such as Kumbh Mela, is often used synonymously with Jatra. The word mela is derived from the Sanskrit root mil (to meet) and mel (to bring together), as seen in words like sammelana, the Sanskrit term for gathering or meeting. Similarly, Jaatraa comes from yaatraa, meaning travel, pilgrimage, etc. Jatras typically involve the movement of people, usually from neighboring villages, forest hamlets, towns, and cities.
Jatras associated with temples are often Rathotsavas—a combination of ratha (chariot) and utsava (festival or celebration). The term ratha is commonly translated as “car,” leading to the popular but inaccurate translation of Rathotsava as “Car Festival.” However, this translation has the advantage of being more “Google-friendly.” Other related terms, such as Brahmotsava, also fall within the broader category of temple-associated Jatras. In Agamic temples—those built and managed according to Shaiva, Vaishnava, or Shakta Agamas—these utsavas, including Rathotsavas and Brahmotsavas, are integral to the temple’s philosophy and practices, as detailed in their respective Agama texts.
Another classical/Sanskritic term related to Jatras is Teertha(mu), used in languages like Telugu. While teertha is commonly understood as a sacred water body, in this context, it refers to Jatras. However, for common participants, these utsavas are simply part of the broader category of Jatra—a sacred Hindu congregation that belongs to folk (loka/janapada) and vanavasi (forest dweller) traditions, which may or may not include temples or temple processions. This characteristic makes Jatras a seamless continuum between classical, folk, and tribal traditions, which are fundamental to the Hindu cultural complex.
Jatras of all three traditions—Vedic/classical, folk, and tribal—are extensively described in Sanskrit literature as well as in regional Indian literary traditions. These Jatras feature large gatherings that showcase a wide range of performing and fine arts, both sacred and secular, with religious and entertainment elements. They span large areas and often include processional displays. Jatras thus serve as important platforms for artists across classical, folk, and tribal traditions, including those traveling from distant regions, and act as a single-point cultural experience for connoisseurs.
Additionally, Jatras function as vibrant marketplaces, with makeshift stalls primarily trading in indigenous products, including crops and artisan-made goods. Their social, cultural, and economic significance is immense—they foster inclusive interactions, reinforce broader community identities, and sustain traditions while enabling innovation. Jatras embody the seamless continuity between classical, folk, and tribal traditions that define the Hindu cultural complex.
The sheer number of Jatras and their presence across every corner of Bharat, along with their countless variations, is staggering.
INDICA is organizing an online symposium on this critical and dynamic aspect of Hindu culture on March 29, 2025.
