“Journey with God”; the grand chariot festival of lord Jagannath, One of India’s greatest annual events, popularly known as Rath Yatra takes place in Puri and other part of India and abroad. But especially colourful at Puri and tribal areas.
At Puri: when a fantastic festival sets forth from Jagannath Mandir it commemorates the journey of Krishna from Gokul to Mathura. The images of Jagannath, his brother and his sister are brought out from the temple and dragged in hug “wooden cars” know as Raths, down main grand road to Gundicha Mandir (about 3 and half km).
The main car of Jagannath stands 14mt high, over 10Square, and rides on 16 wheels, ach over 2mt in diameter. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims (and tourists) flock from all over India to witness this stupendous scene.
Once the cars reach Gundicha Mandir, the devine trinity take a week-long ” Summer retreat” before being adorn the respective wooden chariot and returned to Main Jagannath temple , in a virtual repeat of the previous week’s procession. After the festival, the Chariots are broken up and used for firewood in the communal kitchens inside the temple. New cars are constructed each year, mostly out of a special wood, thereby putting enormous pressure on the state’s dwindling forests.
At the Tribal area in Odisha (Orissa) – Same date and same procession occurs but some place three chariots and some place one chariots / special event is with the traditional custom and musical instruments the tribal group of particular areas join in this festival with local which is very interesting in photography point of view.
A particular tribe in Orissa fixed the marriage at the beginning days of the festival and many newly married tribal couple wearing with their traditional custom and ornaments come in the beginning day of the festival which is another attraction.
Through out the state but our festival tour start from southern – tribal part of Orissa – Bissam cuttack or Koraput.
Nearest airport is Visakhapatnam (250 km).
Nearest railway station is Bissam cuttack (10km), nearest main railhead is Rayagada (45km) and for koraput, the nearest koraput station or Damanjodi station. And it connects with all weather motor able roads.
And conclusion at Puri (Eastern Odisha) the main grand temple of God Jagannath which is one of the major tourist attraction of our country.
Puri nearest airport is Bhubaneswar (60 km). Main rail head is at Puri it self – 2 km from city center.
Photography- Allowed
No entry fee but if you want seating arrangement on a roof top (for better sight and photography / toilet facility) at PURI during Chariot festival then it is chargeable and has to be arranged well, in advance with extra payment.
We suggest our guest to start their journey from wonderful tribal land of south eastern part of Orissa and enjoy the chariot festival with a specific ethnic group and our itinerary not only cover colourful chariot festival but also very isolated ethnic villages, beautiful landscape , gorgeous waterfall, to culture of western and coastal part of Orissa too.
14 Night / 15 Days (weekend to weekend) – or as your choice
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