Puri Rath Yatra is one of the most popular and revered festivals in India, celebrated annually in the coastal town of Puri in the state of Odisha. The festival is also known as the Chariot Festival and is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The festival usually falls in the month of June or July and lasts for nine days.
The highlight of the festival is the procession of three grand chariots carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra. The chariots are beautifully decorated with colorful fabrics, flowers, and paintings. The idols are placed on the chariots and pulled by thousands of devotees who chant hymns and sing devotional songs.
The procession starts from the Jagannath Temple and covers a distance of about three kilometers before reaching the Gundicha Temple, where the idols are kept for nine days. The journey of the chariots is considered to be a symbolic representation of Lord Jagannath's journey from his temple to his aunt's house.
The festival attracts millions of devotees from all over the world who come to witness the grandeur and spirituality of the event. The atmosphere is filled with the sound of drums, cymbals, and conch shells, and the air is fragrant with the smell of incense and flowers.
Apart from the procession, the festival also includes various cultural programs, religious rituals, and feasting. The streets of Puri are lined with food stalls selling traditional Odia delicacies like pitha, chhena poda, and rasgulla.
Overall, Puri Rath Yatra is a celebration of faith, devotion, and unity. It is a time when people come together to celebrate the glory of Lord Jagannath and seek his blessings for a prosperous and peaceful life.