Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is one of the grandest and most spiritually significant festivals in India, particularly celebrated in Puri, Odisha.
Held every year during the month of Ashadha (June–July),it marks the ceremonial journey of Lord Jagannath along with his siblings—Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra—from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, about 3 kilometers away.
The deities are placed on three majestic wooden chariots, elaborately decorated and pulled by thousands of devotees through the streets in a vibrant and emotional procession.
This festival is deeply symbolic. It signifies the deities leaving their temple abode to mingle with their devotees, crossing all barriers of caste, creed, and status. It also evokes a powerful metaphor of life as a journey, where devotion and surrender pull the chariot of the soul toward liberation.
The air resonates with the chanting of “Jai Jagannath,” drums, conches, and the devotional ecstasy of pilgrims who gather from across the globe. The massive wooden chariots are constructed anew each year, reflecting themes from mythology and local art. The pulling of the chariot is not just a ritual—it is considere a sacred act. People believe thst it will bring fortune and blessings.
Besides Puri, pelople celebrate the Rath Yatra with great fervor in cities like Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and even in international communities.
In Kolkata, the ISKCON-organized Rath Yatra sees thousands of participants, cultural performances, and street festivities.
More than just a festival, Rath Yatra is a spiritual experience, a collective celebration of faith, devotion, and cultural unity.
It is where mythology walks alongside the present, where the gods come down from their sanctum to journey with their people. Here the streets turn into temples themselves.
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Photography© by Neha Sharma .