Chariot that holds together.

Puri: Almighty blesses, Binds together, full of joy, Love all over - Ratha Yatra here it is.

Again, it is that time when Lord Jagannath visits their Maternal house for a yearly Vacation. Along with his elder brother Balabhadra and younger sister Devi, Subhadra visits their Aunt's house. Jagannath temple in Puri is one of the four sacred Dhams of India.

This occasion celebrates as Rath Yatra across the whole world. The irony is, in today's era, Rath Yatra has become a festival that commemorates with pomp all over the world. Not only odias but other communities who adopt the Sanatan Dharma, throughout Asia eagerly awaits this festival Rath Yatra. This festival is celebrated every year in July. Likewise, the most remarkable features of this festival are the three multistorey temple sculpts chariots, in which deities travel from the Sri Mandir, Puri. These chariots are an architectural Marvel.

Although everyone knows about Rath Yatra or temple sculpts chariots, do you know the story related to the paintings and small detailed art made in this chariot? very few people will be familiar with the chronicle of these artists or painters. While talking about these paintings one of the artists, Susanta Mahpatro says, " I have been doing chariot painting work for the past 33 years. We do this painting in standing under scorching sun and heat, it hurts a lot but even in this pain there is an auspicious comfort. This art is given to us by our ancestors which is not less than a blessing for us. We complete the painting of these three chariots within just 10 days."- He added

One of the most interesting facts of Rath Yatra is that the chariots of the deities are newly constructed every year. New materials including wood are used in construction. However, the model, structure, design, and dimensions of the chariots remain invariable. Four wooden horses are attached to the front of each chariot. Also, it is believed that initially when the devotees pull the chariot of Lord Jagannath, he refuses to move. Even after hundreds of people when pushing from behind.

The history of this festival of RATH YATRA in Puri is quite ancient and it was started by the Ganga Dynasty in 1150 AD. The festival of RATH YATRA has started from Jagannath Puri itself. After this, the festival started being celebrated all over India. This was the festival, which became famous all over India under the name of Puri’s Rath Yatra. With this, it was the first Indian festival in the western world, about which foreign people got information. Therefore, Ratha yatra has always been a mark of reverence for the people, this is the reason that on this day a large number of devotees come from far and wide to Puri to pull the chariot of Lord Jagannath.