Jagannath Rath Yatra: Fascinating Facts about Chariot Festival of India

The Rath Yatra is celebrated every year in the city of Puri in Odisha and the whole country. Lakhs of devotees visit the temple to witness the grand chariot festival. The mega festival marks the journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra from their abode in Puri’s Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple.

Puri temple. jangannath, Balarama and goddess Subadra

1

Famously known as the 'Festival of Chariots', Rath Yatra's main reason is to honour Puri's Lord Jagannath. One of the most awaited festivals of Orissa, the festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his sister Goddess Subhadra and elder brother Balabhadra.

Rath Yatra is being celebrated on 14th June this year.

2

It is widely believed that Lord Jagannath wishes to visit his birthplace Mathura each year and to fulfil his desire, the Rath Yatra is conducted from Jagannath temple to Gudicha temple.

Aging back to the 11th century, this festival is primarily celebrated in the month of June or July

3

Brand new chariots for all three deities are made every year using wood even if the architecture remains the same. Four wooden horses are tied to the chariots.

A national festival, Ratha Yatra has gained an international stature

4

The term 'Rath Yatra' means a ride on a chariot. It is all through this yatra that Lord Krishna, the eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu on earth is worshipped as Jagannath, the name implicating the master of the world.

Ratha Yatra continues to be commemorated as one of the greatest festivals in the Indian subcontinent.

5

It was in the year 1975 that Nandini Satpathy, who was the then Chief Minister of Odisha, had started the tradition of pulling of Devi Subhadra’s chariot exclusively by women devotees.