10 Fascinating Facts About the Rath Yatra of Puri You Probably Didn’t Know

by admin
Posted On June 3, 2025

Talking about India’s biggest festivals, we surely cannot ignore the Rath Yatra of Puri. If you have ever been to Puri, you know what we are talking about. Puri is a beautiful beach town in Odisha. Annually, the streets of Puri come alive with colours and music of devotion. It happens during the grand Rath Yatra — one of India’s most iconic festivals. The festival is not only a grand celebration but a cultural extravaganza and a stunning spectacle. Rath Yatra can also be translated as the festival of chariots. The founder Acharya of the worldwide Hare Krishna Movement, Srila Prabhupada, propagated the Ratha Yatra festival globally. Today Ratha Yatra is celebrated in all the major cities of the world. Even in India, most of the cities and even small towns celebrate this festival with zeal and enthusiasm.

This incredible celebration marks the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, from their temple to the Gundicha Temple. It is believed that every year, Lord Jagannath (a form of Lord Krishna) visits their aunt’s house at this time of the year. They move from the temple to another temple (their aunt’s house), and that journey is the Rath Yatra. Devotees flock to the streets to be a part of this divine journey.

Thousands of devotees gather to pull the massive, beautifully decorated chariots through the streets. This is a part of the devotional ride. They do it believing it’s a chance to help the gods on their sacred ride. The atmosphere is truly magical — a blend of deep faith, joyous chants, and a vast crowd of people from all over the world. Yes, that is correct! People from all over the world come to be a part of this festival and ride.

Rath Yatra is not only a festival of Puri but the entire country. There are many cities in India where this festival is celebrated. But, Puri is the main city as Lord Jagannath’s main temple is there.

In this blog post, we will be talking about the 10 Fascinating Facts About the Rath Yatra of Puri You Probably Didn’t Know. There is always something in our Indian mythology that is yet to be explored, and in this blog post, we will cover that for Rath Yatra in Puri. We will try to make it all new for you with really interesting facts.

Let’s dive in! There’s still so much you didn’t know!

New Grand Raths Every Year – The very first fascinating fact about the Puri Jagannath Yatra is that the majestic chariots of Rath Yatra are built from scratch every year. That’s right! New wood and materials are used to construct these raths. The construction of the chariots starts on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. But, here’s the amazing part: the design, structure, and dimensions remain the same, each and every year. Nothing changes! And to add a touch of grandeur, each chariot is adorned with four beautiful wooden horses at the front, ready to pull the deities on their grand procession! Another interesting fact is that these chariots are constructed without the help of measuring tapes. The Karigars use an ancient technique of measurement that involves hands and fingers to measure. The ropes used for pulling the chariot are made of coconut fiber and are 8 inches thick in diameter.
The Three Main Deities and Their Chariots – The star trio of the Jagannath Temple are Lord Jagannath, Balaram, and Subhadra. They are all siblings, and they all travel in their individual chariots. Lord Jagannath sits in Nandighosha, a majestic chariot with 18 wheels. Balaram, his brother, goes in Taladhwaja, which has 16 wheels. Meanwhile, Subhadra, their sister, glides along in Devadalana (also known as Padmadhwaja), her 14-wheeled chariot. Each chariot is uniquely designed, but all share the spotlight in this grand procession. That’s why it’s also known as the Festival of Chariots.
The Monarch System – Although India no longer has a monarchy, but it is strongly believed that a mythical king of Puri secretly sweeps the path with a golden broom before Lord Jagannath’s grand procession. This symbolic gesture paves the way for the Lord’s ceremonial journey. People strongly believe in this theory. We bet you didn’t know about this one.
The Canopy Design of the Chariot – The top of the chariots of all three deities resembles the structure of a Hindu temple. The chariots are pulled with ropes by hundreds of devotees and pilgrims. They do this out of devotion. Canopies for the chariots are made of almost 1200 meters of cloth. A team of 15 tailors make the canopies.
The Orthodox Story of This Temple – The Jagannath Temple of Puri is one of the few orthodox Hindu temples in India where only the followers of Hinduism are allowed to enter the premises. The people of other religious sects cannot visit the premises, no matter how ardent devotees they are, except on some special days. However, the door of this Jagannath Temple is open to all, irrespective of caste and religion, during the Rath Yatra Festival. The people of different Indian communities can worship the Lord and get blessed.
The Journey and the Destination – The Gods stay in their aunt’s house for about 9 days. And on their way back home after a 9-day stay at the Gundicha Temple (their aunt’s house), Lord Jagannath and his siblings take a halt to have some sweets. They’re huge fans of Poda Pitha, a beloved Odisha dessert, and can’t resist a bite (or two!) during their return journey. Yes, even the Gods can’t resist that sweet dish.
The Cosmic Pull Factor – This is yet another fascinating fact about the festival and shows the power of the divine. According to the stories of the devotees, when the festivities begin, Lord Jagannath’s chariot seems stubbornly stuck. No matter the amount of pushing and pulling done, the chariot seems to be in the same place. It’s only after a few hours of consistent effort that the chariot suddenly starts moving, as if the Lord has given his consent. This shows the playful nature of Lord Krishna. Nothing is not divine in this festival.
The Closing of the Temple Doors – You must know that the temple doors of the temple remain closed one week before the Rath Yatra festival. But, do you know the reason behind this? It’s because Lord Jagannath is believed to be taking a well-deserved rest after catching a high fever! During this time, the temple gates are closed to the general public. After his rest, the Lord heads out to his aunt’s house for a change of scenery.
The Sudden Downpour – If you have ever witnessed Rath Yatra, you know that rain has to happen on this day. No matter what the weather of the day looks like, it will rain. According to records, there has not been a single Rath Yatra that didn’t witness heavy downpour.
The Juggernaut – Jagannath Connection – Ever wondered where the term ‘juggernaut’ comes from? It’s actually inspired by Lord Jagannath’s massive chariot! The British, witnessing the gigantic Rath Yatra chariot, coined the word to describe a powerful and overwhelming force. Talk about leaving a lasting impression, eh!
The Halt for Entertainment – It is believed that Lord Chaitanya had participated in the Rath Yatra during these 18 years of stay in Puri. He participated in sankirtan and dancing. So, even now, the Rath Yatra takes a halt to witness Lord Chaitanya’s dancing.
No Rebirths for the Ones who See the Dieties – Our Shastras say, “rathe ca vamanam drstva punar janma na vidyate”. This means that one who sees the Jagannatha Deities on the Ratha, there is no rebirth for them.

Conclusion

As we promised through this blog post, we’ve journeyed through the fascinating world of Rath Yatra. We hope you’re now hooked on this incredible festival in case your city does not celebrate it with that level of zeal! This festival is something else. From the majestic chariots to the spiritual significance, we’ve uncovered the secrets that make this festival a spectacle like no other. The cities where this festival is celebrated know the grand spectrum it holds.

As the deities start on their annual ride, so do the devotees’ spirits! The Rath Yatra of Puri is a true celebration of faith, community, and joy. It’s interesting to see people come together in huge numbers just out of devotion. It’s magnificent, to say the least.

We are sure we piqued your curiosity about this incredible festival. Are you already planning your trip to Puri to experience it firsthand? Whatever the case, we hope you now appreciate the grandeur and beauty of Rath Yatra.

As the chariots return to the Jagannath Temple, let’s carry the spirit of this festival with us – the spirit of togetherness, devotion, and celebration. Until next year’s Rath Yatra, stay curious, and keep exploring the wonders of our rich cultural heritage. Jai Jagannath.

Talking about India’s biggest festivals, we surely cannot ignore the Rath Yatra of Puri. If you have ever been to Puri, you know what we are talking about. Puri is a beautiful beach town in Odisha. Annually, the streets of Puri come alive with colours and music of devotion. It happens during the grand Rath…