Jagannath Rath Yatra: Here Are Some Lesser-Known Facts

Image credit: PTI [{ "selector": ".bugro-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".ngfog-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 will begin on June 27, 2025, and conclude on July 5, 2025

Image credit: PTI [{ "selector": ".quiob-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".njnet-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 512px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".daojn-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Puri Rath Yatra is a grand festival that honours Lord Jagannath (a form of Lord Vishnu), his brother Lord Balabhadra and his sister Devi Subhadra

Image credit: PTI [{ "selector": ".cjtft-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".dfrcu-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 475px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".ecaxb-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

The deities journey from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, which symbolises Lord Jagannath's annual visit to his aunt's house (Gundicha Temple)

Image credit: PTI [{ "selector": ".bmckf-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".ptktq-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 475px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".lnlzx-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

The deities travel in three beautifully carved wooden chariots known as Raths

Image credit: PTI [{ "selector": ".okzpl-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".cuasf-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 525px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".pbmec-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

These grand chariots are: Nandighosa (Lord Jagannath's chariot), Taladhwaja (Balabhadra's chariot) and Darpadalana (Subhadra's chariot)

Image credit: PTI [{ "selector": ".lzgrf-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".aqikj-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 466px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".zcwwk-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

The chariots are constructed each year using wood from specific trees like Dhausa and Phassi, chosen and brought from the Dasapalla forests of Odisha

Image credit: PTI [{ "selector": ".lsbrg-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".aqfkm-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 466px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".bzmes-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

The chariots are pulled by devotees with thick ropes. It is believed that pulling cleanses sins

Image credit: PTI [{ "selector": ".jllnk-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".blepx-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 478px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".dokur-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

The festival spans over nine days, ending with the return journey of the deities to the Jagannath Temple

Image credit: PTI [{ "selector": ".xdbca-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".iqtrz-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 478px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".babnk-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Check More Stories

Image credit: PTI [{ "selector": ".omgao-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".fenro-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }] ndtv.com