Jagannath Puri Yatra

Spirituality has been the essence of India since the dawn of civilization. It can also be termed as the Land of Festivals. There are several pilgrimages all over the country. Holy practices of different types add color and life to this land and enhance its richness.

Rath Yatra is one of such big festival that is celebrated in Eastern India. It is the biggest Chariot Festival of India. This festival is mainly observed in Puri, which is a coastal town of Orissa. Every year in midsummer, Lord Jagannath along with his sister Subhadra and elder brother Balbhadra go on a vacation. They travel by their grand chariots, from the temple of Jagannath to their garden palace (aunt's house/ masir bari) in Puri.

In mythology it is said that Jagganath is an avatar or a part of Lord Vishnu. Rath Yatra is one of the most significant festivals for the people of Orissa. In this festival procession are taken out. Huge temples like chariots are used, which are popularly known as Raths. Thousands of devotees from all over the country and even from abroad come to pull the Rath.

Many people believe that the origin of the Rath Yatra is from Buddhist. The festival of Rath Yatra begins with the Rath Prathista early in the morning. But chariot pulling is the most important and exciting part of the festival. The procession starts when the chariots (Raths) of Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balbhadra start progressing. The name of the Rath of Lord Jagannath is Nandighosa, which has 18 wheels and has the height of 34.5 feet. The Rath of Balbhadra is known as Taladhvaja, has the height of 33 feet and it has 16 wheels. Devadalana is the name of Subhadra's Rath; it has 14 wheels and has the height of 31.5 feet. The chariots and these three idols of these three deities are made of wood. These three chariots are maintained well in every year and many artists are involved in painting and cover up these three chariots. 1200 meters of cloth is required to cover up each chariot and fourteen people are engaged in stitching the covers. These clothes are supplied by the textile mill of Orissa government. Other private mills also donate these clothes.

The Rath Yatra of Puri is world famous for its crowd. People from all over the country and even from abroad make it a point to visit Puri during RathYatra. So this spot gains special tourist attraction during this time. Many hotels and lodges are available for the tourists. Even special trains to Puri run during this time. Thus with a great fooding, lodging and communication facilities this place plays the great role of host to devotees, millions of pilgrims and tourists from all over the India and abroad.