Rath Yatra of the Four Deities

The Rath Yatra of the four deities unfolds on the 2nd day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha, aiming at the overall well-being of humanity. The Skanda Purana underscores the paramount importance of Shree Gundicha Yatra, asserting that no festival of Mahaprabhu is more significant. This festival signifies the joyous journey of Shree Hari to the Gundicha temple to fulfill his sacred command.

The chariot, emblematic of "Sadhini Sakti," is believed to convey Lord Shree Jagannath's compassion to devotees merely through its touch.

• Ekanta Niti:
  This ritual, conducted on Thursdays, holds a special significance. It involves the tender moments of the deities' retreat to solitude, symbolizing a serene communion with the divine. During Ekanta Niti, the temple ambiance resonates with an aura of tranquility, offering devotees an opportunity for introspection and spiritual contemplation.
• Shree Gundicha Temple Rituals :
  The rituals of Shree Gundicha Yatra commence with the morning rituals of the deities, followed by the Mangalarpana ritual on the 2nd day of Ashadha Sukla tithi. The ceremonial procession, known as Pahandi, is then carried out, with the deities sequentially boarding their respective chariots. Subsequently, the Chhera Panhara ritual unfolds, wherein the Gajapati Maharaja ceremonially sweeps the chariots with a golden broom and performs other sacred rites.
• Chhera Pahanra :
  Once the deities have boarded their respective chariots and have been adorned with 'malachula' and Besha, the Chhera Panhara ritual ensues. This ritual involves the ceremonial sweeping of the chariots with a golden broom, a task performed by the Gajapati Maharaja. The golden broom is brought in a grand procession by a Tamjan or Palaki from the Shreehahara or King's palace. Following this, the Gajapati offers a camphor lamp in a golden diya or lamp to the deities, which is succeeded by the alta and chamara rituals. The king personally sweeps the chariot's floor with the golden broom, followed by the application of sandal paste onto the chariot
• Chariot Pulling :
  According to custom, following the completion of Chhera Panhara, the Bhoi sevakas proceed to remove the Charmala from the chariots. Subsequently, each chariot is affixed with four wooden idols of horses. The kahalia savitor then blows the kahali (trumpet), followed by the resonant beating of gongs. Afterward, the chariots are pulled forward, accompanied by the joyful singing of Ratha Dahuka, a jester-like minstrel who entertains and encourages the crowd to pull the chariots with fervor. The procession proceeds towards the Shree Gundicha Temple, situated approximately three kilometers away. Upon arrival, the deities, including Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Shree Jagannath, are sequentially taken by Daitapatis in Pahandi to the Simhasana inside the Gundicha Temple. Throughout the seven-day stay of the deities in the Shree Gundicha Temple, all rituals akin to those observed in the Shreemandira are meticulously performed.
• Hera Panchami:
  Hera Panchami, celebrated on the 6th day of Ashadha Sukla, is an important festival during Shree Gundicha Yatra, followed by Sandhya Darshan and Bahuda Yatra, the return journey towards Shreemandira.
• Sandhya Darshan:
  As described in the Puranas, catching a glimpse of the four deities on the Adapa Mandap during the evening fills a devotee with boundless bliss. According to the "Niladri Mahodaya," observing the deities continuously for ten years in Nilachala is equivalent to witnessing them for just one day at the Adapa Mandap in the Gundicha Temple. Moreover, sighting the deities during the evening or night hours yields results tenfold greater than desired. The Sandhya Darshan ritual is conducted on the day preceding Bahuda Yatra, known as the Return Journey, a tradition upheld since ancient times.
• Bahuda Yatra :
  The return cart festival, also known as Bahuda Yatra or "Dakshinabhimukhi Yatra," signifies the movement of the chariot towards the south. Celebrated on Ashadha Sukla Dasami, Bahuda Yatra involves various rituals such as Senpatalagi, Mangalarpana, and Badapana. As the three chariots make their way back to Shreemandira, a special cake known as Poda Pitha is offered to the deities at Mausimaa Mandir. Subsequently, the chariots of Balabhadra and Subhadra proceed ahead and are positioned in front of Singhadwara. However, the chariot of Nandighosha, bearing Lord Sree Jagannath, pauses at Shreenhara. Goddess Lakshmi is then carried in a palki to Shreenahara, where the Dahipati ritual and Laxmi Narayan Bheta nities are performed. Witnessing the deities during their southward journey on
• Suna Besha:
  Suna Besha, where the deities are adorned with gold ornaments on the chariots, Adhara Pana, a special sweet drink offered to the deities, and Niladri Bije, marking the conclusion of Shree Gundicha Yatra, are also significant events in this grand festival, considered one of the world's largest religious celebrations.
• Adhara Pana :
  On Ashadha Sukla Dwadashi- 12th day of bright moon phase. Adhara Pana - a special sweet drink made of cheese, milk, sugar, spices offered to the deities on the chariots.
• Niladri Bije :
  Nialdri Bije holds a significant place as the final phase of Shree Gundicha Yatra. On the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha, the four deities return to the adorned platform in a ceremonial procession. Shree Gundicha Yatra in Puri stands as one of the world's largest religious festivals, celebrated since ancient times.

Details of all Rathas – Chariots

Chariot of Subhadra – DARPADALANA/PADMADHWAJA/DEVADALANA

Jagannath Darshan Puri

The Jagannath Temple is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Vishnu–one of the trinity of supreme divinity in Hinduism.

Presiding Deity: Devi Subhadra
Number of Wheels: 12
Total Wooden Pieces: 593
Height: 42 feet 3 inches
Dimensions: 31 feet 6 inches in length and breadth
Decorative Wrappings: Red and Black cloths
Guarded by: Jayadurga
Charioteer: Arjuna
Flag: Nadambika
Horses: Rochika, Mochika, Jita, Aparajita
Rope: Swarnachuda Naguni
Presiding Nine Deities:
Chandi
Chamunda
Ugratara
Vanadurga
Shulidurga
Varahi
Shyamakali
Mangala
Vimala
Parts of Rath / Chariot

Chariot of Balabhadra – TALADHWAJA

The chariot dedicated to Lord Balarama, known as Taladhwaja, features a palm tree on its flag. With a height of forty-four feet, it possesses fourteen wheels, each with a diameter of seven feet, and is covered with red and bluish-green cloth.

Presiding Deity: Shree Balabhadra
Number of Wheels: 14
Total Wooden Pieces: 763
Height: 43 feet 3 inches
Dimensions: 33 feet in length and breadth
Decorative Wrappings: Red and Bluish-green cloths
Guarded by: Basudev
Charioteer: Matali
Flag: Unnani
Horses: Tribra, Ghora, Dirghasharma, Swornanava
Rope: Basuki Naga
Presiding Nine Deities:
Ganesh
Kartikeya
Sarvamangala
Pralambari
Hatayudha
Mrutyunjaya
Natamvara
Mukteswar
Sheshadeva

Chariot of Jagannath – NANDIGHOSHA/GARUDADHWAJA/KAPIDHWAJA

Lord Jagannatha’s Chariot, known as Nandighosa, stands forty-five feet high and forty-five feet square at the wheel level. It features sixteen wheels, each with a diameter of seven feet, and is adorned with a cover made of red and yellow cloth.

Presiding Deity: Shree Jagannath
Number of Wheels: 16
Total Wooden Pieces: 832
Height: 44 feet 2 inches
Dimensions: 34 feet 6 inches in length and breadth
Decorative Wrappings: Red and Yellow cloths
Guarded by: Garuda
Charioteer: Daruka
Flag: Trailokyamohini
Horses: Shankha, Balahaka, Suweta, Haridashwa
Rope: Sankhachuda Naguni
Presiding Nine Deities:
Varaha
Gobardhan
Krushna, Gopi Krushna
Nrusingha
Rama
Narayan
Trivikrama
Hanuman
Rudra