Rath Yatra
रथ यात्रा
The grand chariot festival of Lord Jagannath in Puri, Odisha, where massive wooden chariots carrying the deities are pulled through the streets by thousands of devotees.
Why We Celebrate
Rath Yatra is the grand chariot festival of Lord Jagannath (a form of Lord Krishna), celebrated in Puri, Odisha. Three massive wooden chariots carry Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple (their aunt's home), a distance of about 3 kilometers. Millions of devotees pull the chariots with ropes, chanting "Jai Jagannath!" The journey symbolizes the deities visiting their devotees and blessing the world.
The Rath Yatra tradition dates back centuries and is mentioned in ancient texts. The chariots are newly constructed each year using specific sacred wood and traditional methods. Lord Jagannath's chariot (Nandighosa) has 16 wheels, Balabhadra's (Taladhwaja) has 14, and Subhadra's (Darpadalana) has 12. The sight of these towering chariots moving through the streets is one of the most spectacular religious processions in the world.
The festival represents the Lord coming out to meet his devotees regardless of caste, creed, or social status — all are welcome to pull the chariot ropes. Rath Yatra is now celebrated worldwide by ISKCON and other Vaishnava communities, spreading the joy of devotion across continents.
Did You Know?
- ✦The word "Juggernaut" in English comes from "Jagannath" — British observers used it to describe something massive and unstoppable, like the giant chariots of the Rath Yatra.
- ✦The three chariots are built from scratch every year using wood from specific sacred trees, and the old chariots are cremated with full ritual honors after the festival.
- ✦During Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath is offered his favorite food, "Mahaprasad" — a sacred meal cooked in the temple kitchen (the world's largest) that can feed up to 100,000 people daily.
Related Festivals
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