Hello, my dear Local Guides 
The Rath Yatra (literally “chariot journey” or “chariot festival”) is one of the most ancient and grand Hindu festivals, most famously celebrated in Puri, Odisha, India. While variations of chariot festivals exist across different Hindu traditions and even in Jainism and some tribal religions, the Puri Rath Yatra for Lord Jagannath (a form of Krishna), his elder brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra is the most renowned.
Rath Yatra has always been a special and unique festival to celebrate, since my childhood. From decorating a blunt, wooden piece of Rath (Chariot) with all sorts of colors and colorful papers, garlands, sweets and incense sticks and most importantly, till placing the figures of the 3 siblings inside and pulling it throughout the locality with my friends, this festival has been a core memory forever.
Though I haven’t been fortunate enough to visit The holy Jagannath temple of Puri during Rathyatra and experience the grandeur celebration, but I have been pretty blessed to experience this year’s Rathyatra organized by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Kolkata. It was the 54th ISKCON Rathyatra, which every year starts from Albert Road (just beside the ISKCON Mandir) and ends at the TAI Brigade Parade Ground (Outram Road) near Park St.
Throughout the journey, huge crowds started gathering by the chariots to offer their prayers and have a glance of the Universal Lord. Many locals were providing us with free water, snacks as refreshments and restoring the stamina to pull the 3 humongous chariots.
But it was disheartening to see that most people were simply drinking the water from the plastic glasses and bottles and throwing them here and there. The waste management in those areas were poor for this used plastic glasses, food wrappers and plates.
All throughout the yatra, a profound wave of devotion washes over the countless devotees who gather. It’s a spectacle of raw, unbridled emotion, where inhibitions melt away in a crescendo of spiritual fervor. As the colossal chariots, adorned with vibrant silks and flowers, begin their slow, majestic roll, tears stream freely down faces, hands are raised in ecstatic surrender, and voices unite in a thunderous chorus of “Hare Krishna, Hare Rama.”
The air vibrates with the rhythmic beat of mridangas and the clang of kartals, driving the devotees into a trance-like state of joy. Many dance with boundless energy, their movements fueled by an inner fire of love for Lord Jagannath, oblivious to the jostling crowds or the summer sun. For most of the devotees, this is more than just a festival; it is a direct connection to the divine, a tangible experience of God’s presence, and a moment where every burden seems to lift, leaving only pure, unadulterated bliss.
Getting the opportunity to witness the Universal Lord from so close was truly a goosebumps moment for me. It was a heavenly feeling to pull the chariots of all 3 deities, with so many people at the same time. Really manifesting the day when I will be lucky enough to spectate the Lord himself at his home at Puri’s Rathyatra.
Till then, staying grateful for this life.
JAY JAGANNATH 
Here is my custom made Instagram video on the very occasion 
54th ISKCON RATHYATRA, KOLKATA
Hope you all like it!!
Thank You and Keep Guiding 
