Puri Rath Yatra: The Chariots Are Built for the Festival

Puri’s Rath Yatra is one of Odisha’s most recognised religious and cultural festivals. During the procession, the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra travel in three distinctive chariots along the grand road of Puri.

The chariots are not ordinary vehicles. Their construction involves specialised carpentry, traditional designs and a carefully organised process connected with the festival calendar. Their colours, structures and names distinguish the three chariots.

The festival brings together devotion, craftsmanship, music and a large public gathering. It also demonstrates how traditional skills continue to play a role in a living cultural event. Visitors should follow crowd-control instructions and official safety arrangements during the festival.