Rath Yatra

Ratha Yatra, also known as Jagannath Rath Yatra, is an important Hindu event held every year in Puri, Odisha, at the famed Jagannatha temple. It is one of the world's oldest rath yatras. Every year on this day, the idols of Lord Jagannath and his siblings (Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra) are adorned and transported in chariots drawn by hundreds of worshippers on a 3-kilometer trek (from Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple).

History

Ratha Yatra of Mahesh (after Rath Yatra in Puri) is the second oldest carriage festival in India and it has been held in Bengal since 1396. It's a celebration in Mahesh in West Bengal's Serampore, and a great fair takes place at the same time.

Significance

The term Jagannath is composed of two words: "Jaga" which means "Universe" and "Nath." Lord Jagannath is indeed regarded one of Lord Vishnu's reincarnations. The devotees celebrate Rath Yatra annually. Idols are carried in a carriage and the three chariots are brought to the Gundicha Temple, a few kilometres distant, by the worshippers over Puri streets. There is a notion that dragging their God's carts throughout their procession is a method of engaging in the genuine devotion of the Lord and also to eradicate the sins that can be done wisely or unconsciously.Millions of devotees go from all over the world to seek God's blessings and fulfil their dreams at the Jagannath Rath Yatra. The ambiance is very clean and lovely during the Rath Yatra. Devotees in chariots continue to sing hymns and mantras to the beat of drums. Gundicha Yatra, Chariot Festival, Dasavatara, and Navadina Yatra are some of the other names for Jagannath Rath Yatra.

Deity

Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balbhadra

Ritual (pooja, vrat etc.)

The chariots of Lord Jagannath and his heavenly siblings are dragged along the Grand Road on the day of the Rath Yatra and transported to Gundicha Temple (aunts home), 3 kilometres from the 12th-century temple, where they are stored for a week until the day of the return car celebration.

Celebrations

Lord Jagannath is dedicated to the Puri Rath Yatra event which is said to be one of the Lord Vishnu avatars. The Temple of Jagannath is one of the four major Hindus pilgrimages with enormous religious importance.It is believed to be highly lucky for PuriRatha Yatra to have a simple view of Lord Jagannath on his chariot. For the three goddesses, three chariots are built.
The chariot of Lord Jagannath consists of about 16 wheels.
The chariot of Goddess Subhadra is constructed of 12 wheels
14 wheels are manufactured for Lord Balabhadra chariot.
It is thought that a person will be liberated from the cycle of life and death when they engage in Rath Yatra with complete dedication.

Celebration in different regions/countries including Regional Variance

Jagannath Puri Rath jatra in Odisha
International Jagannath RathaJatra
Dhamrai Jagannath Roth festival
RathaJatra of Mahesh
Manipur

Gifts

Clothes

Best places to experience/ Mela

Jagannath Puri Rath jatra in Odisha

Date & Time

As per the traditional Odia calendar, Rath Yatra begins on the second day of Shukla Paksha of the Hindu lunar month of Ashadha

Public Holidays (Y/N and where)

No/Odisha