From this article you will get idea of Ratha Yatra in different locations of West Bengal and Puri.
Ratha Yatra is a Hindu festival and celebrated with great enthusiasm in Puri of Orrisa during the months of June or July. Presently this chariot festival is celebrated all major cities in India and even outside India.
Ratha Yatra at Puri
Three decorated chariots are pulled through the roads by devotees. Ratha Yatra is a famous festival of Puri. At Puri this is the day when non-Hindus and foreigners can get their glimpse of the deities. This commemorates the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balarama, and their sister Subhadra to their aunt' s temple known as Gundicha’s Temple. On their return journey, the three deities stop at the ‘Mashir Bari’. At the end of seven days the deities return to their original temple. Millions of devotees gather at Puri during this time.
Ratha Yatra at ISKCON at Mayapur of West Bengal
Ratha Yatra festival is now famous in different foreign countries and this has happened mainly due to ISKCON. Major cities of the world celebrate Ratha Yatra since 1968 as A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, then the leader of ISKCON successfully implemented the festival at different ISKCON centers.
At Mayapur, Ratha Yatra is celebrated through pulling of Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra’s chariots from Rajapur, Simantadvipa to Mayapur. A long procession with devotees, kirtan groups, dance group, school children, dham sevakstake part in the procession.
Ratha yatra of Mahesh
Mahesh is located at Hooghly district of West Bengal and it is near sreerampore. The Ratha Yatra festival of Mahesh is considered as the second oldest chariot festival after Puri. Lakhs of people come here during Ratha Yatra and the festival continues for one month. Devotees gather here to pull the ropes of chariots of Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra to Sreerampore, Gundicha Bari and back.
This year in 2011, Ratha Yatra festival will start on 3 July 2011.
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