The Rath Yatra festival is celebrated annually in the city of Puri, Odisha, India. It involves large colorful chariots carrying the deities Jagannath, Balaram, and Subhadra through the streets. Hera Panchami, a ritual honoring Goddess Lakshmi, takes place during Rath Yatra. The chariots vary in size, with Jagannath's being the largest, and have canopies in symbolic colors. There are several unusual phenomena associated with the Jagannath temple in Puri, such as the flag and dome casting no shadows, and supernatural influences on local wind patterns and leftover food.
2. ABOUT RATH YATRA
The Ratha Yatra of
Puri, also rendered as
the Ratha Jatra, is
considered the oldest
and largest Hindu
chariot festival
celebrated annually,
on the bright half of the
lunar month of
Ashadh. The festival is
held at the city of Puri,
in the state of Odisha,
India and associated
with the deity
Jagannath
3. WHERE IT IS CELEBRATED
Hera Panchami is a ritual observed during
the period of Rath Yatra in the Grand
Jagannath Temple of Puri. It is known as a
ritual of Goddess Lakshmi. The fifth day from
Rath Yatra, i.e., the fifth day in bright fortnight
of Ashadha is known as the Hera Panchami.
4. ABOUT THE CHARIOTS
The size of Chariot of Jagannath,Balaram
and Subhadras chariot is Height44' 2"43'
3"Length and breadth34'6" x 34'6"33' x
33'Colours of the canopiesRed, Yellow
(yellow associated with Vishnu)Red, Bluish
green.
Full name of Jagannath is Shri Jagannath
prabhu .Full name of Subhadra is Bhadr
and Full name of Balaram is Balabhadra
Pahandi.
5. NINE INCREDIBLE FACTS
The flag atop the temple has been observed to flap in the
opposite direction of the breeze.
Irrespective of where you stand in Puri, it seems to you that
the Sudarshana Chakra on top of the temple is always facing
you.
Usually in coastal areas during the day-time, the breeze
blows from the sea towards the land and during evening
hours it blows from the land towards the sea. But in the case
of Puri it is the reverse.
No birds fly above the Jagannath temple in Puri.
The shadow of the main dome of Jagannath temple is not
visible, whatever be the time of day. Maybe an architectural
feat or the Lords desire.
The food cooked inside the temple everyday will not go
waste.