Wheels Of Worship: What Is The Significance Of The Rath Yatra And The Pulling Of The Chariots?
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This year, the grand chariot festival is taking place on Friday, June 27, upholding a tradition that spans centuries
The Puri Rath Yatra is a remarkable display of deep spiritual devotion and cultural opulence, ranking among India's most important annual festivals. It attracts millions of pilgrims to the coastal town of Puri in Odisha.
This year, the grand chariot festival is taking place on Friday, June 27, upholding a tradition that spans centuries. During this event, the deities of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, and their sister Goddess Subhadra embark on a sacred journey in enormous wooden chariots.
The festival begins with the auspicious Dwitiya Tithi (second day) of the Shukla Paksha in the Ashadha month according to the Hindu calendar. The most mesmerising aspect of the Rath Yatra is the pulling of the massive chariots through the 'Bada Danda", or Grand Avenue, towards the Gundicha Temple, which is believed to be the deities' aunt's home.
The 3 chariots
Each year, three distinct chariots are carefully constructed anew for the deities. Lord Jagannath's chariot, called 'Nandighosa", stands 45 feet tall with 18 wheels, making it the largest.
Lord Balabhadra's chariot, 'Taladhwaja," is 44 feet high with 16 wheels, while Goddess Subhadra's chariot, 'Devadalana," is 43 feet tall with 14 wheels.
These chariots are not just vehicles; they are beautifully decorated, symbolising the divine journey with vibrant colours, carvings, and motifs.
The atmosphere
The sight of millions of devotees crowding the streets of Puri to participate in the chariot pulling is a testament to their unwavering faith. People from various backgrounds, both from India and around the world, gather in Puri, often enduring challenging conditions for days, just to catch a glimpse of the deities and have the honour of touching the ropes that pull the chariots.
The atmosphere is electrifying, filled with fervent chants of 'Jai Jagannath", devotional songs, and the rhythmic beats of traditional instruments. Devotees believe that simply touching the ropes or the chariots, or even witnessing the procession, cleanses them of sins and grants immense spiritual merit. It is estimated that over 10 to 12 lakh people have gathered in Puri for this year's Rath Yatra, creating a dense human wave that propels the colossal structures forward.
Security and crowd management
Managing such a large gathering is a monumental task. The Odisha Police, in collaboration with various agencies, has implemented an extensive security setup, deploying around 10,000 personnel on the ground.
Advanced crowd management techniques are used, including surveillance with AI-enabled cameras, drone monitoring, and integrated control rooms positioned at critical points across the town. NSG snipers, bomb squads, and marine police are also part of the enhanced security measures to ensure a safe and orderly festival.
Despite these meticulous arrangements, the sheer volume of devotees combined with humid conditions can pose challenges. On Friday, there were reports of over 200 devotees collapsing due to intense crowding, necessitating swift emergency medical responses.
The rituals
The rituals associated with the Rath Yatra are equally significant. Days before the main procession, the deities undergo a ceremonial bath known as Snana Purnima, followed by a period of seclusion during which they are believed to fall ill. On the day of the Yatra, the 'Pahandi Bije" sees the idols being majestically carried out of the main temple to their chariots amidst fervent chants. A particularly symbolic ritual is 'Chhera Pahanra," performed by the Gajapati King of Puri, who sweeps the chariots with a golden broom, signifying humility and the equality of all before the divine.
After spending a week at the Gundicha Temple, the deities embark on their return journey, the 'Bahuda Yatra", culminating in their re-entry into the Jagannath Temple, marking the end of this nine-day spiritual extravaganza. The Puri Rath Yatra is more than just a festival; it is a living tradition, a powerful expression of devotion, and a testament to the enduring cultural heritage of Odisha.
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Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
Odias, foreigners among visitors at maiden festival
Digha: Devotees from Odisha and other states joined residents of Bengal to celebrate the first Rath Yatra in Digha on Friday. Foreigners, mostly from Iskcon, and non-resident Indians also witnessed the celebrations with great excitement. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now For people from Kolkata and other districts of Bengal, Digha has turned out to be a new favourite during Rath Yatra. Cops at police assistance booths, set up for crowd management, helped devotees make their way to the temple. "Several people have come from outside the state, and they started visiting the temple from the morning, hours before the Rath Yatra," an officer said. Bharati Nayak from Balasore, Odisha, was swaying to the beats of "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" during the festival. "We came to Digha last night, and I am happy with the grandeur of the festival on the maiden Rath Yatra celebration at the new Digha temple," she said. Debabrata Behera, also from Balasore, was spotted chanting "Jai Jagannath" with the crowd. He said, "Every year, we go to Puri on this day. But this time, we changed our plan. The celebration in Digha was made on a grand scale. Digha being close to Odisha, I hope more people will come here from my state for Rath Yatra in the coming years. The rituals observed in the run-up to the rolling of the chariot wheels conform to the tradition followed in our state." Partonen Platon from Finland, who danced on the road with others from Iskcon, said, "It is great to be part of the chariot festival in Digha. After Puri, it is a new addition to the Rath Yatra in India, and I feel that the festival in Digha started with on bigger dimension than expected." Prasun Sinha, originally from Gujarat and now settled in San Francisco, USA, flew to Bengal to be part of the first Rath Yatra festival in Digha. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "I saw the photographs of the temple after it was inaugurated in April and decided to visit during this festival. This is my first visit to Digha as well, although I have been to Puri earlier," said Sinha, who checked into a hotel in New Digha on Thursday. Rekha Sharma from Jamshedpur, who was accompanied by three other women, said, "We are happy to have darshan of Lord Jagannath in the temple in the morning. We were asked to stand behind the barricades and touch the ropes from a distance, and we did not find any problem in that. We may come here again during the festival next year." Purnima Das from Baranagar said, "Earlier, Puri was the only destination for holidaying during Rath Yatra. This year, we decided to come to Digha, which is wearing a new look for this festival. In years to come, Digha will turn into a new favourite for this festival for many Bengalis like me."
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Iskcon chariots roll out on Sukhoi wheels in Kol
1 2 3 4 Kolkata: This Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath rode in on fresh wheels in Kolkata. Last year's chariot ride on the worn-out Boeing Jumbo Jet tyres was particularly bumpy, compounded by the steering mechanism failure that left the chariot stranded on the day of Rath Yatra. However, with the old tyres replaced by brand new ones from a fighter jet before this year's festival, the deities had a glitch-free journey on Friday. This is the 54th year that Iskcon has organised the Rath Yatra in Kolkata and the first time that Russian fighter aircraft Sukhoi Su-30MKI tyres have adorned Lord Jagannath's chariot. All three chariots have been in use since the inception of the event over half a century ago. The steel wheels of Lord Balabhadra's chariot were changed last year, while those of Devi Subhadra have undergone repairs in the past. Around 2 lakh people thronged the 8-km route, through which the three raths travelled on Friday. Apart from them, around 100 foreigners from Russia, Ukraine, China, Japan, US, Canada, UK, France, and a few other countries participated in the festival in the city. This year, the turnout of foreigners was lower compared to previous years, as many have been unable to travel due to geopolitical tensions that have made air travel between Asia and the West challenging. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Monster Hunter Wilds – Exclusive Discounts! Shop Now Undo You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata The Rath Yatra started at 1.45 pm from Hungerford Street, where the Iskcon temple is situated. It then turned left on to AJC Bose Road before turning right on to Sarat Bose Road. At the Sarat Bose Road-Hazra crossing, it turned right on to Hazra Road before again turning right on to SP Mukherjee Road. Thereafter, it had a long straight run through Ashutosh Mukherjee Road and then Chowringhee Road past Exide crossing, before it turned left on to Outram Road on reaching the Park Street-JL Nehru Road crossing. After a brief run on Outram Road, the raths reached their destination at Brigade Parade Ground at 6.45 pm. At the Brigade ground, the deities have been housed in a pandal resembling Puri's Jagannath temple. Iskcon vice-president Radharamn Das, who is in Digha to participate in the Rath Yatra there, said the pandal on Brigade ground was the Gundicha temple or 'Masir-bari', where the deities would reside till the return journey begins on Ulta Rath on July 5.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
PURI: BEYOND TEMPLES AND BEACHES
The ancient Jagannath temple and the pristine golden beach have long been the twin jewels in Odisha's tourism crown, attracting millions of visitors to Puri annually. However, a remarkable transformation is taking place in this coastal city that's reshaping its identity from a purely religious destination to a modern tourist paradise. Just half a decade ago, the area beyond the Light House beach was an unexplored territory, dominated by casuarina forests and sand dunes, with no infrastructure or human presence. Today, this section of Puri, known as the new marine drive or Sipasarubali beach, has emerged as a symbol of progress and modern development, featuring wide roads, luxury hotels, trendy restaurants and vibrant tourist zones. The new Puri area is set to see further growth thanks to the proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Sipasarubali. "The Puri beach has evolved to offer an experience that is reminiscent of popular global tourist destinations. The Sipasarubali area is going to get transformed in the next five years and is a potential goldmine for investors," according to businessman Nikhil Gupta, who was in Puri recently to explore business opportunities. The game-changing factor in this transformation has been the development of the expansive marine drive road connecting Sipasarubali beach to Harekrushnapur on the outskirts of Puri. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Previously, tourists often avoided Puri due to the congested main entrance via Bata Mangala — Atharanala. The lack of proper connectivity had also deterred the hotel industry from expanding into new areas. Puri district collector Siddharth Shankar Swain, while emphasizing the importance of sustainable development, said, "We are witnessing unprecedented interest from investors in the Sipasarubali beach area. While we are excited about the growth prospects, our focus remains on ensuring planned and regulated development that adheres to environmental and coastal regulation zone guidelines." According to Debasis Das, secretary of Srikhetra Swabhiman Mancha (a cultural outfit), the Shree Jagannatha Parikrama Prakalpa (a heritage corridor project) which was inaugurated last year on Jan 17, set the ball rolling for Puri's transformation. Under the Rs-500-crore ambitious makeover plan, Puri witnessed infrastructural development, tourist amenities, revival of sacred tanks, multi-lane roads and multi-level parking and a trumpet bridge. The new Puri has become a popular weekend destination for residents of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, who can reach the beach town in just two hours by road. The area's appeal lies in its spacious infrastructure, ample parking facilities and relatively less crowded beaches compared to the bustling central beach near Digabareni and Swargadwar. "The transformation of Sipasarubali from a handful of hotels to a thriving tourist hub has been remarkable. However, it's crucial that we maintain the area's natural charm while pursuing development," Padma awardee and renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik said. The statistics support this growth story, with over 50 hotels, including two-star category establishments, and numerous restaurants now operating along the new marine drive. The area received a significant boost when the Copenhagen-based Foundation for Environmental Education granted the prestigious Blue Flag certification to an 870-m stretch of Puri Golden beach in Oct 2020, making it Odisha's first beach to receive this international recognition. The certified beach area now boasts of world-class amenities, including beach huts, jogging tracks, modern toilets, designated safe bathing zones, watchtowers, landscaped gardens, changing rooms and advanced security features like CCTV cameras and solar-powered street lighting. 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"With the expanding tourist zone, we need dedicated police outposts along the marine drive and enhanced beach patrolling, especially in the 10-km stretch from Sanskrit University to Sterling," Kumar said. To address the growing traffic, the govt is constructing a five-storeyed multi-level car parking facility at Digabareni Chhak that will accommodate 257 vehicles. Infrastructure improvements also include a 6m-wide granite-paved pathway along the marine drive, replacing the narrow footpath that existed previously. "The transformation of Puri represents a delicate balance between preserving its ancient spiritual heritage and embracing modern tourism development. As this coastal city evolves, we, as stakeholders, remain committed to sustainable growth that benefits both locals and visitors, while protecting the natural environment that makes Puri unique," Srimanta Kumar Dash, president of India-Japan Friendship Centre, an outfit working on promotion of tourism activities in Puri, said. According to Dash, the arrival of tourists, including foreigners, will increase after commissioning of the proposed international airport. "We need to have viable tourism projects attracting foreign tourists," he added. He advocated for the development of theme parks, shopping centres, museums and cinema halls. "These additions would encourage visitors to prolong their holidays in the coastal town, bolstering the economy," he said.
