Ratha Yatra

Hindu festival in celebration of Krishna as ‘Jagannath in State’, an incarnation of the god Vishnu. It is held in Puri, Orissa, for two weeks in June/July. Murtis (images) of Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra (Balarama), and sister Subhadra, are washed and placed on huge chariots (raths), that are up to 15 m/48 ft high and have 12-16 wheels. The chariots are towed by hundreds of devotees from the temple in Puri to a temple garden in nearby Gundicha Ghar. Thousands of worshippers accompany the procession, along with joyful music and song.

A glimpse of the murtis is believed to bestow blessing, while pulling the chariot part of the 3 km/2 mi route is regarded as an honour. In the past devotees used to throw themselves under the wheels of the chariot in the hopes of gaining instant salvation. At the end of the festival, the chariots are broken up and made into religious relics. The English word ‘juggernaut’, meaning a very large lorry with numerous wheels, comes from the name of the god because of the size of the chariots.

The Ratha Yatra symbolizes Krishna's departure to Mathura from Gokul. Four other gods also ride on the chariots. Jagannath sits in the leading chariot with Madanmohan, who represents Lord Jagannath himself. Subhadra shares her chariot, the smallest of the three, with her sister Sudarshan, who sits by her side. Balabhadra is accompanied by two small brass murtis of Rama and Krishna.

The fifth day of the festival marks the arrival of Lakshmi, the wife of Jagannath, who has come looking for her absent husband. An enactment of their marital quarrel takes place, which is resolved following Jagannath's return to the temple at Puri.