Essay on “Rath Yatra” Festival
Rath Yatra is an unusual festival in the memory of an eighty years old event. In the month of Ashada, this celebration takes place in the state of Orissa. Rath Yatra means a ‘Chariot ride’, which is preserved as the gateway to the heavens by the devotees. The ritual ride is observed in the Jagannath temple in the city of Puri in Orissa.
The Jagannath temple is a trinity abode or dham dedicated to Lord Krishna, his elder brother Balarama and their sister Subhadra. The images of the trinity are made of new wood and adorned in splendour. On the full moon day of ashada, the images are taken out with the accompaniment of huge chariots to the streets. Once the chariots come on the road, the continuous movement of the participants does not allow the procession to come to a halt.
This ride is usually covered uphill and downhill track. The procession takes almost ten hours to reach its destination.
