PURI JAGANNATH RATH YATHRA ON 7TH AND 8TH JULY 2024
Puri Raths are three chariots that are made of wood and decorated by local artists. Lord Jagannath’s chariot is the biggest of the three having 16 massive wheels and a height of 44 feet. While Lord Balarama’s chariot has 14 wheels and a height of 43 feet followed by Goddess Subhadra’s chariot having 12 wheels and a height of 42 feet. They are pulled manually by 50-metre long ropes, people rush to pull the chariots as they believe that pulling the chariot earns them good deeds and penance for their errors. In Puri Rath Yatra, Lord Balaram’s chariot is pulled first then Goddess Subhadra’s followed by Lord Jagannath’s. Jagannath means ‘The Lord of the World’. Hindu legend states that every year during Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, pays a visit to his aunt’s shrine in the Gundicha shrine. Puri to Gundicha temple is 3 kilometers, although Puri Rath Yatra takes two hours owing to crowds. The goddesses stay in the temple for ni...