Ratha Yatra or the Chariot Festival is a major Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Jagannath (Lord Krishna), Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra, and is celebrated with much fervour in Puri (Odisha) and other Indian states.

As per popular belief, during Rath Yatra  time of the year, Lord Jagannath wishes to visit his birthplace, Gundicha. To make that happen, a chariot ride is organised from Jagannath temple to Gundicha temple located a few kilometres away. This year, the Yatra is going to take place tentatively on the 4th of July.

The history behind jagannath rath yatra

Jagannath is another name of Lord Krishna. The Jagannath temple in Puri is completely dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. As per the Hindu mythology, Jagannath expressed his desire to visit his birthplace at least once every year. Out of sheer love, respect, and affection, his followers built three well-decorated huge chariots, so that Jagannath and his siblings can visit their birthplace.

How is the jagannath yatra Festival celebrated?

Every year, Jagannath and his siblings are worshipped inside the Jagannath temple. However, it is only this time of the year that the deities are brought outside, placed on three huge chariots, which are then drawn by hundreds of devotees to Gundicha. It is widely believed that those who are lucky enough to draw or touch the ropes of the chariot are blessed by God himself. Before Rath Yatra, the idols are bathed in 109 buckets of water and then kept in isolation till the day of procession. This particular ritual is called “Snana Poornima”.

The massive procession or Puri Rath Yatra is witnessed by lakhs of people who flock here to participate in this one-of-a-kind festival. Pulling Jagannath’s chariot is a huge task per se. Jagannath’s chariot is called Nandighosa and has 18 huge wheels. Balabhadra’s chariot has 16 wheels, while Subhadra’s chariot has 14 wheels.

Artists decorate the chariots with bright colours and the entire procession is shown on live television. It is then drawn till Gundicha by using long ropes which are approximately 50 metres in length. The chariot is then kept in Gundicha for a week before being brought back to the temple. The journey back to the Jagannath temple is known as “Bahuda Yatra”.

The protocols or customs that are followed

• Devotees indulge in cleansing their soul by taking bath before sunrise or during Brahma muhurta (also known as Brahma’s time).
• Jagannath’s idol is worshipped in households before the procession starts.
• The three chariots are brought to the temple premises.
• “Jai Jagannath” chants ring loud as the “King of Puri” brings the idols from the temple.
• The king cleans the chariot with a broom.
• The procession starts soon after the deities are placed properly.
• The procession ends at the Gundicha temple.
• After staying there for a week, the Rath along with the deities are brought back to the Jagannath temple.
• While being brought back, the Rath stops at the Mausi Maa temple.
• The idols are served “poda pitha” and pancake.

Other than in Puri, Rath Yatra is also celebrated in some other parts of the country, as well as in Bangladesh. However, the grandest of all processions takes place at Puri. Lakhs of tourists and devotees gather to witness the celebrations. Various forms of delicacies, especially sweets are served. Mahaprasad (a special food) is prepared in the temple and served to devotees. Since this festival is open to people from all religions, anyone can taste the prasad prepared at the temple.

Visit Puri in July and witness this massive festival with your own eyes. You can also go for sight-seeing tours before or after the festival. Odisha is replete with architectural delights.

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