10 Interesting facts about Puri Rath Yatra
Puri Rath Yatra is the largest annual religious festival in the world.
Every year new chariots are constructed, which are pulled by the devotees
The construction of chariots begins on Akshaya Tritiya and it takes two months to be built
The chariots are made of Neem wood
The Rath Yatra begins after the king of Puri sweeps the road with a golden broom
The largest chariot belonging to Lord Jagannath is 44 ft tall; Balabhadra’s chariot is 43 ft tall; while Subhadra’s chariot is 42 ft tall
The main door to the temple is shut for the week before the commencement of the festival
Lord Jagannath is believed to have caught a fever during this period of time
During Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath and his siblings are taken in chariot from the main temple to their maternal aunt’s home - Gundicha Mata Temple
During the stay at Gundicha temple, Lord Jagannatha is offered ‘poda pitha’ a special pancake
They stay at Gundicha temple for 9 days, and the return event is called ‘Bahuda Ratha Yatra’