Jagannath Yatra 2017: All you need to know about Rath Yatra and its significance

The 140th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra will take place in the on June 25. This yatra falls every year in the month of June or July.

The chariot for Jagannath is basically 45 feet high and 35 feet square and takes about 2 months to construct

The rituals will begin with the pahind vidhi — ritual sweeping of the road. The most significant ritual associated with the Ratha-Yatra is the chhera pahara. During the festival, the Gajapati King wears the outfit of a sweeper and sweeps all around the deities and chariots in the CheraPahara (sweeping with water) ritual.

Chera pahara is held on two days, on the first day of the Ratha Yatra, when the deities are taken to garden house at Mausi Maa Temple and again on the last day of the festival, when the deities are ceremoniously brought back to the Shri Mandir.

In the Ratha Yatra, the three deities are taken from the Jagannath Temple in the chariots to the Gundicha Temple, where they stay for nine days.

Also Read:  ISCKON Visakhapatnam to hold Jagannath Ratha Yatra