What is Rath Yatra?
Rath Yatra is the chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, held in Puri, Odisha, on the second day of the bright half of Ashadha. Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra leave the temple and travel through the streets on three giant wooden chariots.
The three chariots
The chariots are newly built every year: Nandighosa for Jagannath, Taladhwaja for Balabhadra and Darpadalana for Subhadra. Before they move, the Gajapati King of Puri sweeps the chariots with a golden broom in the Chhera Pahanra ritual, showing that all are equal before God.
Journey to Gundicha
Lakhs of devotees pull the chariots with thick ropes to the Gundicha Temple, where the deities stay for about a week before the return journey, called Bahuda Yatra. Rath Yatras are now held in cities across India and around the world.