The Ratha Yatra of Puri, also popularly known as the Ratha Jatra ('chariot festival') and this festival is considered to be the oldest and largest Hindu chariot festival celebrated annually, on the month of Ashadh (June–July). The festival is held at the city of Puri, in the state of Odisha, and it is associated with the Lord Jagannath (a form of Krishna. During the festival, three deities (Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra) are drawn by numerous devotees in three massive, wooden chariots on bada danda (the grand avenue) to Gundicha Temple whereby they reside there for about a week and then return to the Jagnannath temple. This return trip is referred to as the Bahuda Yatra.
On the way, the chariot of Jagannatha, Nandighosa waits near the crematorium of Bhakta Salabega (a Muslim devotee, to pay him tribute. On their way back from the Gundicha Temple, the three deities stop for a while near the Mausi Maa Temple (Aunt's abode) and have an offering of the Poda Pitha, which is a special type of pancake supposed to be the deity's favourite. After a stay of seven days, the deities return to their abode.
Descriptions of the Ratha Yatra can be found in Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, the Skanda Purana, and the Kapila Samhita. The three chariots of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are newly constructed every year with wood of specified trees like phassi, dhausa, etc. They are brought from the state of Dasapalla by a specialist team of carpenters who have hereditary rights and privileges for the same. The three chariots are decorated. Each chariot has a charioteer (Sarathi) and four horses.
The Chandan yatra or "Sandalwood Festival" is a 42-day period that marks the beginning of construction work for the chariots. The period is divided in half, consisting of 21 days each. The first half is known as Bahar chandan, whereby the representative images of the presiding deities are taken out in colorful processions and given a ceremonial boat ride in the Narendra tank every day. These deities include Madan Mohan (Jagannath), Rama-Krishna, Lakshmi, Saraswati and the Pancha Pandava - the presiding deities of the five main Shiva temples. The latter, known as Bhitar chandan, consists of various rituals not open to the public.[7] The construction of the chariots starts on Akshaya Tritiya, the third day of the bright fortnight of Vaisakha, with ritual fire worship. This takes place in front of the palace of the King of Puri and opposite the main office of the Puri temple. Later the deities have a ritual bath in a small temple in the middle of the tank, in stone tubs filled with water, sandalwood paste, scents, and flowers. After the chariots of the deities return to the main temple from the Gundicha temple, the deities are attired in gold ornaments and worshipped on the chariots. This celebration is known as Suna Besha. This year Suna Besha is on 16th July 2024.
The Ratha Yatra festival has become a common sight in most major cities of the world since 1968 through the ISKCON Hare Krishna movement. A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada popularised the festival globally, which now happens on an annual basis in over 108 cities including: Moscow, New York, Houston, Atlanta, London, Rome.
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