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SUMMARY:Symposium On JATRAS - The Sacred Hindu Congregations
DESCRIPTION: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. \nJatras 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. \nAnother 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. \nJatras 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. \nAdditionally\, 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. \nThe sheer number of Jatras and their presence across every corner of Bharat\, along with their countless variations\, is staggering. \nINDICA is organizing an online symposium on this critical and dynamic aspect of Hindu culture on March 29\, 2025. \nSCHEDULE \n\n\n\n\nTime\nName\nTitle\n\n\n9.00-9.30\nDr. Nagaraj Paturi\nKulapati | Vice Chancellor\, INDICA\nClassical\, Folk And Tribal Jatras\, Their Intertraditional Continuum And Social\, Cultural And Economic Significance\n\n\n9.30-10.15\nSri Sumanaspati Reddy \nFormer Radio (All India Radio) Broadcaster\, Writer\, Freelance Researcher\, Ethnographer\, Photographer and Documentary Film Maker\nPerformative Symbolism Running Amok: Creation Myth\, The Carnivalesque And Contemporaneity In Tirupati Ganga Jatara\n\n\n10.15-11.00\nDr. Deepa Duraiswamy \nAuthor\, Temple Management in the Agamas\nAgamic Significance Of Rathotsava\n\n\n11.00-11.45\nProf. Pulikonda Subbachary \nRetd. Professor\, Head & Dean\nConstructs Of Celestial Space Created Through The Processes Of Jatara\n\n\n11.45-12.30\nSri Sivasankar Babu \nPresenter\, Babu4Heritage & Heritage Awareness Speaker\, Tamil Heritage Trust\, Chennai\nWARI Class Of JATRAS In South India\n\n\n12.30-13.15\nSri Rudra Vikrama Srivastava\nFreelancer & Researcher\nThe First Record Of Rāghava Yātra To Celebrate Rāmanavamī From A Newly Discovered Inscription From Prayagraj\n\n\n13.15-14.00\nDr. Sharda Narayanan \nAssistant Professor\nTemple Festivals In Tirumurai Poetry\n\n\n14.00-14.45\nDr. B. C. Anish Krishnan Nayar\n Independent Researcher\nExcluding Exclusions Through Divine Excursions: Deities Coming For Devotees\n\n\n14.45-15.30\nDr. Ketu Ramachandrasekhar \nDeputy Director\, Academic\, Siddhanta Knowledge Foundation\nAazhitter: Grand Utsava Of Thiruvarur\n\n\n15.30-1615\nDr. T. Ganesan \nResearch Associate\, French Institute of Pondicherry & Head\, Centre for Shaiva Studies\nRathotsava And Processions: Some Informations From The Saiva Agama-s\n\n\n1615-17.00\nSushri Nidhi Katti \nFounder Vice-President\, THE HISTORY ENTHUSIASTS Association\, Independent Researcher\, Cultural Historian and Archaeologist\, Iconographist\n“Yalgur Kartik”: One Jaatre\, Diverse Traditions & Cultures In A Madhwa Neighbourhood\n\n\n17.00-17.45\nDr. Nagaraj Paturi \nKulapati | Vice Chancellor\, INDICA\nJatras That Spread Wide And Long Into Space And Time\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://indica.events/event/symposium-on-jatras-the-sacred-hindu-congregations/
CATEGORIES:Symposiums
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