Rath Yatra Status Photo

Rath Yatra Status Photo

Ratha Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival or Car Festival, is a prominent Hindu festival celebrated in the city of Puri, Odisha, India. It is one of the most important festivals dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu, and attracts millions of devotees from all over the world.

Ratha Yatra 2025

The festival usually takes place in the month of June or July, during the rainy season. The main attraction of Ratha Yatra is the procession of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, in grand chariots pulled by devotees through the streets of Puri. The chariots are constructed anew every year using specific types of wood.

The chariots used in the festival are enormous and ornately decorated. The chariot of Lord Jagannath, known as Nandighosa, is the tallest and largest among the three chariots. The chariot of Lord Balabhadra is called Taladhwaja, and Devi Subhadra’s chariot is known as Darpadalana. The devotees believe that pulling the chariots during the procession is an act of great devotion and brings blessings.

The procession begins from the Jagannath Temple, the main shrine in Puri, and travels for a distance of approximately 3 kilometers to the Gundicha Temple. The journey represents Lord Jagannath visiting his aunt’s house. The chariots are accompanied by thousands of devotees who sing and dance in joyous celebration throughout the procession.

Ratha Yatra holds deep religious significance for the devotees. It is believed that those who have the opportunity to pull the chariots or touch the ropes are blessed and their sins are washed away. The festival also symbolizes the unity and equality among people, as people from all walks of life participate in the event without any discrimination.

Apart from Puri, Ratha Yatra is also celebrated in other parts of India and across the world where there are significant Jagannath temples. These include cities like Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and even in different countries where the Odia community resides.

Ratha Yatra is a vibrant and colorful festival that showcases the rich cultural heritage of Odisha. It is a time of immense devotion, celebration, and a sense of community among the devotees.