Puri Rath Yatra, Orissa (3 July 2011)

Orissa is famous for its Rath Yatra in Puri, held every year. Jagannath Puri Dham is one of the four main dhams in India. Held for nine days, the colourful Jagannath Yatra attracts tourists not only from all over India, but also from abroad.

On the first day of this Yatra, statues of Lord Krishna, Lord Jagannath’s brother Balabhadra and his sister – Subhadra are taken in a procession to the Gundicha temple, which is two kilometers away from the Jagannath temple. On the ninth day, the statues are brought back with due ceremony. All these deities are worshipped by the lakhs of devotees that throng the city during these nine days.

The king, or raja of Puri arrives at the temple accompanied by heavily bejeweled elephants, to the loud beating of gongs. The raja, expressing his humility as a sevak (servant) of the lords, sweeps the chariots with a golden broom.

The idols of the deities are carried in three separate raths, or chariots, each several feet high and pulled by strong ropes. Balram’s rath, the first to be taken out, is blue in colour. This is followed by Subhadra’s rath, which is in black. Lord Krishna’s rath comes last, and is coloured yellow. Pulling or even touching the ropes of these chariots is considered to be auspicious and many struggle to do so. Legend has it that those who can see all the chariots moving in the south direction will be granted salvation.

New chariots are made each year; the older ones are broken down to be used in the kitchen or sold as souvenirs to believers. Stories abound of pilgrims throwing themselves in the path of the chariots, in the belief that death under these chariot wheels will bring them eternal peace.

This annual festival also commemorates Lord Krishna’s journey from Gokul to Mathura, symbolising a journey from darkness to light.



Located around 60 km from Bhubaneshwar. Don't forget to carry an umbrella for the heavy rain. Non Hindus are not permitted to the temple. No inside Photography/Video. Pulling of the huge wooden chariots (3 no) is the main attraction. Over crowded due to religious importance.