Celebrating the Divine Journey: Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra Festival
Organized by ISKCON Raichur
Every year, the streets of Puri and cities around the world come alive with joyous chants, vibrant decorations, and the sound of devotional music as devotees gather to celebrate Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra—the Festival of Chariots. This grand celebration, originating in Jagannatha Puri, Odisha, is one of the oldest and most sacred festivals in India, and through the efforts of ISKCON, it now graces hundreds of cities globally, including Raichur.
Five hundred years ago, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the combined incarnation of Radha-Krishna, encouraged all of His followers to celebrate Ratha-yatra with great enthusiasm. His biographies (such as Chaitanya Charitamrita) list many anecdotes surrounding the Ratha-yatra festival. It is said that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu got down on His hands and knees to scrub the Gundicha temple where Lord Jagannatha would stay at the end of the Ratha-yatra parade.
Since 1967 until his passing, Srila Prabhupada joined thousands of disciples in cities around the world as they celebrated elaborate Ratha-yatra chariot festivals in the streets of London, Paris, Sydney, Tokyo, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and on New York’s prestigious Fifth Avenue.
The Divine Trio Embarks
On this day, the Supreme Lord Sri Jagannatha (Krishna), along with Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Devi, ride majestically on three beautifully decorated chariots. The Lord leaves the temple to bless everyone on the streets, even those who normally cannot enter His temple. This merciful outing represents the Lord’s desire to come closer to His devotees, regardless of their background or status.
This takes place on the second day of the waxing phase of the moon of the asadha month. Jagannatha ordered King Indradyumna to take him to his birth place, the Gundica Mandira (symbolically Vrindavana), on this day.
Jagannatha’s ratha is marked with a cakra and garuda, is yellow in color, with four white horses. The protecting deity is Nrsimha.
Baladeva’s cart is blue, with a palm tree insignia, and four black horses. The protecting deity is Sesa.
Subhadra’s cart is black, with lotus insignia, protected by Vanadurga.
On the fifth day of the lunar month, called Hera (looking for) Pancami, Laksmi comes looking for Jagannatha with Siva and her maid servants. When the servants of Jagannatha see her at the first gate of the Gundica Mandira, they close the door of Jagannatha’s bhoga mandira so that she cannot see him. She becomes angry and breaks a piece of Jagannatha’s ratha. After taking a meal she returns to the main temple. On the ninth day of the moon, the return Ratha Yatra takes place, and Laksmi and her servants come to meet Jagannatha. Jagannatha gives her his garland to appease her.
Spiritual Significance
Pulling Lord Jagannatha’s chariot is not an ordinary act. According to the Padma Purana and Skanda Purana, those who even touch the rope of the chariot or participate in the festival are liberated from countless lifetimes of karma.The chariot represents the devotee’s heart. The ropes symbolize the devotee’s longing and love, pulling the Lord closer. The Lord leaving the temple shows His eagerness to meet His devotees in public. The journey to Guṇḍicā is Kṛṣṇa’s return to Vrindāvan, to the land of pure devotion. By participating in Ratha Yatra—whether physically pulling the chariot, dancing, singing, or simply watching—we invite the Lord into our hearts.
“Rathastham Vamanam Drishtva punarjanma na vidyate”
“One who sees Lord Jagannatha on the chariot will not take birth again.”
Benefits of Pulling the Ratha
- Destroys sinful reactions and bestows immense spiritual merit (punya).
- Awakens devotion in the heart and attracts the mercy of the Lord.
- Grants freedom from material attachments and invites inner peace.
- It is equivalent to performing thousands of yajnas, as mentioned in various Puranas.
- Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself danced in ecstasy during Ratha Yatra, showing its glory.
Pulling the chariot symbolizes pulling the Lord into our hearts.
Types of Donations & Sevas for Ratha Yatra
To successfully organize this grand festival, we invite you to participate by offering your time, resources, and heart. Every donation is a step toward spiritual progress.
Main Sponsorship Sevas
| Seva | Suggested Donation | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Chariot Decoration Seva | ₹25,000 | Blessings of Lord’s divine form |
| Flower & Garland Seva | ₹11,000 | Fragrance of devotion in life |
| Mahaprasadam Distribution Seva | ₹21,000 | Feeding thousands of devotees |
| Sound & Stage Seva | ₹15,000 | Spreading Harinam everywhere |
| Publicity Seva (Posters/Banners) | ₹10,000 | Inspiring others to join in devotion |
| Full Day Ratha Yatra Maha-Sponsor | ₹51,000 | Special honor and blessings from temple |
Annadana Sevas
| Seva | Suggested Donation | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Family Meal Sponsorship | ₹1,001 | ~20 people |
| 100 People Prasadam | ₹5,000 | 100 people |
| Full Prasadam for 500+ | ₹25,000 | Entire crowd |
General Donations Welcome
No amount is too small. Every rupee offered with love becomes spiritualized.
Deposit donations @
ISKCON
Canara bank account
0519101043190
IFSC CNRB0000519
upi
0519101043190@cnrb
online
https://give.iskconraichur.com
contact: 9972431313
Benefits of Donating for Ratha Yatra
- Annadānam paramam dharmam – Feeding devotees pleases the Lord immensely.
- Gains the blessings of Lord Jagannatha and spiritual elevation for oneself and one’s family.
- Donations made during such divine festivals multiply a thousand-fold, as stated in Mahabharata.
- Purifies wealth, brings prosperity, and removes obstacles in life.
- Eternal credit is earned in the spiritual world—not even a leaf offered goes unnoticed by the Lord.
“Patram pushpam phalam toyam yo me bhaktyā prayacchati…”
(Bhagavad-gita 9.26: Whatever is offered with love, I accept it.)
Join Us & Receive Unlimited Blessings
Let your hands pull the Lord’s chariot. Let your hearts overflow with kirtan. Let your home be blessed through seva.
Be a part of this once-a-year transcendental opportunity.
Jagannatha Swami Nayana Patha Gami Bhavatu Me
O Lord Jagannatha, may You always be the object of my vision.