Introduction

Rath Yatra is a popular Hindu festival celebrated at Puri in the state of Orissa. The festival is celebrated in the month of June – July. The Yatra is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his brother Baladeva, and sister Subhadra, who are the enshrined deity of Jagannath Temple at Puri. Thousand of devotes enthusiastically participate in the Yatra. They pull the gigantic Chariot carrying the three Gods with the help of serpentine rope attached to the chariot.

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The Rath Yatra festival lasts for 21 day. On the first day the heavily decorated images of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra are carried through the street on huge Chariots dedicated to the three deities. The Chariots are pulled by the devotees with the help of strong ropes attached to the chariots. The Chariot of Lord Jagannath is known as 'Nandighose' which has 23 cubits height and has 18 wheels. The chariot of Balabhadra is 22 cubits high and has 16 wheels known as 'Taladwaja' and 'Devadalan' is the chariot of Subhadra, which has 21 cubits height and has 14 wheels.

Nine days after this journey, the Yatra is repeated in the opposite direction. The procession of this Yatra is very colorful and is carried for 21 day to Narendra Tank and the deities are established their in a decorated boat. In the month of Jyesth, the process of Sananjatra (bathing) is performed. After the bathing ceremony, the deities are kept in seclusion. No public viewing of the Gods is allowed during this period. After the period of seclusion, the chariots of the deities are carried to Gundicha Ghar which is 3 Km away from the Jagannath Temple. The Chariots of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra are made anew every year according to the specifications described in the Puranas. The celebration of Rath Yatra is one of the most incredible spectacles of religious devotion in the world.