Why Rath Yatra of Puri Is the Greatest Festival on Earth

Every year the whole world comes to cities in Odisha - and watches God come outside to meet His people.

What Is Rath Yatra?

Rath Yatra means the Journey of the Chariot. Every year, Lord Jagannath - along with His brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra - comes out of the Jagannath Temple in Puri and rides on massive wooden chariots through the main road of the city.

This is not just a festival. This is one of the most extraordinary events in the world. The road they travel on is called Grand Road or Bada Danda. It is about 3 kilometres long. And every year, millions of people line this road to catch a glimpse of the Lord.

रथस्थं बलिनं दृष्ट्वा पुनर्जन्म न विद्यते । स्वर्गं वा मोक्षं वा प्राप्नोति नात्र संशयः ॥

Ratha-stham balinam drishtva, punar-janma na vidyate | Swargam vaa moksham vaa praapnoti, naatra samshayah ||

Meaning: One who sees the mighty Lord riding on the chariot will never be reborn. They will attain either heaven or Moksha - there is no doubt about this.

- Skanda Purana - Vaishnava Khanda, Chapter on Puri Rath Yatra

When Is Rath Yatra?

Rath Yatra always takes place on the second day of the bright half of the month of Ashadha (June-July) according to the Hindu calendar. The exact date changes every year based on the Hindu calendar.

Rath Yatra falls in June or July every year. If you cannot be in Puri physically, watch the live telecast on Odisha TV or DD National. The procession begins in the morning and continues for several hours.

The Three Chariots - Who Rides Which One?

Three separate chariots are built fresh every year from specific types of wood. Each chariot has a different name, a different colour, and belongs to one of the three deities.

Deity	Chariot Name	Height	Colour	Wheels
Lord Jagannath	Nandighosa	45 feet	Red and Yellow	16
Lord Balabhadra	Taladhwaja	44 feet	Red and Blue	14
Devi Subhadra	Darpadalana	43 feet	Red and Black	12

Each chariot is built from scratch every year using specific types of wood - mainly phassi, dhausa and other trees from the Dasapalla forests of Odisha. No nails are used. The chariots are held together with rope alone. After the festival, the wood is distributed as prasad to devotees.

Why Does God Come Out of the Temple?

This is the question every child asks - and it has a beautiful answer.

Our tradition says that Lord Jagannath comes out of the temple for one reason - so that those who cannot enter the temple can still see Him. The Puri Jagannath Temple has a rule that non-Hindus cannot enter. But when the Lord comes out on His chariot, everyone can see Him. The Lord on the chariot belongs to everyone.

There is also a beautiful story behind this. The sister of Lord Jagannath - Devi Subhadra - once wanted to see the city of Puri. She requested her brothers to take her on a tour. And so the three of them set out together on chariots. This annual chariot ride is a reenactment of that divine family outing - God taking His sister for a tour of the city He loves.

आषाढस्य सिते पक्षे द्वितीयायां रथोत्सवः । जगन्नाथस्य महात्म्यं त्रिलोकेषु विश्रुतम् ॥

Aashaadhasya site pakshe, dvitiyaayaam rathotsavah | Jagannaat hasya mahaatmyam, tri-lokeshu vishrutam ||

Meaning: On the second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha, the chariot festival takes place. The greatness of Lord Jagannath is known throughout all three worlds.

- Skanda Purana - Purushottama Kshetra Mahatmya

The Chhera Panhara - When the King Sweeps the Chariot

One of the most moving moments of Rath Yatra is the Chhera Panhara ceremony. Before the chariots begin to move, the Gajapati King of Puri - one of the most powerful rulers of Odisha's royal lineage - comes forward.

He does not come as a king. He comes as a servant.

He takes a golden broom and sweeps the floor of each chariot - in front of thousands of watching eyes. The message is clear: before God, even the greatest king is just a sweeper. No one is too high to serve the Lord.

This beautiful tradition has continued without interruption for centuries. It is one of the most powerful expressions of devotion in all of Indian culture.

The Return Journey - Bahuda Yatra

After staying at the Gundicha Temple for 9 days, Lord Jagannath and His family return to the main Jagannath Temple. This return journey is called the Bahuda Yatra - and it is celebrated with as much joy as the outward journey.

On the way back, the chariots stop at the Mausi Maa Temple - the temple of the Lord's aunt. There, the deities are offered a special preparation called Poda Pitha - a baked rice cake that is the Lord's favourite. Even God stops to visit His aunt and eat her home cooking.

If you are planning to attend Rath Yatra in Puri, book your accommodation at least 3 to 4 months in advance. Hotels fill up very fast. The best viewing spots on Grand Road are near the Gundicha Temple end, which is less crowded than the starting point near the Jagannath Temple.

Rath Yatra Around the World

The Rath Yatra of Puri is not just celebrated in India. It is celebrated in over 100 countries around the world. The largest Rath Yatra outside India takes place in London, New York, San Francisco and Sydney - all organised by the ISKCON (Hare Krishna) movement.

Wherever it is celebrated, the chariot, the chanting of Hare Krishna, and the distribution of prasad remain the same. The Lord travels the whole world on His chariot.