| Ratha Yatra is a Hindu festival that celebrates the journey of three deities, Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. The festival is held annually in the city of Puri, India, on the bright half of the lunar month of Ashadh.The festival commemorates the deities' journey from their home temple to their aunt's temple, about three kilometers away. The deities' statues are carried through the streets in a chariot, and each chariot has its own name. Lord Jagannath's chariot is called Nandighosh, and the chariots of Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are called Taladhwaja and Darpadalana, respectively.The festival is believed to have begun when Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath, expressed her desire to visit Puri. The festival highlights the cultural heritage of Odisha and is considered the oldest and largest Hindu chariot festival.Lakh of devotees have thronged to Odisha's Puri for a glimpse of Lord Jagannath whose idol is taken out from the Jagannath temple on the occasion of Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra set to begin on Tuesday.The holy festival is organised according to the Hindu calendar and takes place every year on the second day of the bright fortnight in the month of Ashadha. The festival is celebrated with huge joy and fervour across the coastal city of Odisha. Know more about the Jagannath Puri Ratha to understand the centuries-old ritual and its significance.On this day, Lord Jagannath, which also means ‘Lord of the Universe’, is taken out of the temple on beautiful chariots. Along with the idol of Lord Jagannath, idols of Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are also taken out on different chariots and given a tour of the whole city before being taken to the Gundicha Temple. |
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| After reaching Gundicha Temple, the three deities are taken back to Lord Jagannath Temple. The journey to return to the temple is called Bahuda Yatra. It takes place at the end of the ten-day celebration. The date of the return yatra is June 28, 2023. The return rath yatra commences on the tenth day of the Ashadha month.The Ratha Yatra takes one day for traveling to Gundicha temple, deities of lords remain in the temple for seven days, and one day to return home. This Journey is known as Gundicha Yatra, Nava Dina Yatra ("nine days Journey"), or Ghosa Yatra. Three chariots are constructed and decorated for the deities to start their Yatra. Three chariots for the deities, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are built. The construction of Chariots starts with Chandana Yatra. Carpenters called as Maharana undertake the construction of these chariots, which is their hereditary right since ages. After the construction, decoration starts with different colour clothes. |
