Tradition of Chariots: Rath Yatra Celebrations Across Continents

What binds each one of us to a common thread of belongingness, lived heritage and a feeling of humanism, it’s nothing but our culture. A culture that shapes who we are, what we believe in and what values guide us. For years traditions, festivals, epics and symbols have been the flagship indicators of our Indian culture. However, in a deeply interpenetrated and connected world, preservation and celebration of Indianness are of paramount importance to sustain our existence. Especially for those far from the land of their ancestors, these cultural practices provide a vital link to their heritage, a comforting reminder of their roots amid foreign landscapes. 

What binds each one of us to a common thread of belongingness, lived heritage and a feeling of humanism, it’s nothing but our culture. A culture that shapes who we are, what we believe in and what values guide us. For years traditions, festivals, epics and symbols have been the flagship indicators of our Indian culture. However, in a deeply interpenetrated and connected world, preservation and celebration of Indianness are of paramount importance to sustain our existence. Especially for those far from the land of their ancestors, these cultural practices provide a vital link to their heritage, a comforting reminder of their roots amid foreign landscapes. 

Festivals particularly serve as vibrant representations of tradition, identity and community life. For Indian diaspora spread across the globe, these celebrations are not merely about rituals but also about nurturing and cherishing the cultural legacies. They also serve as a beacon, inviting others to experience the richness of Indian culture. Through dance, music and cuisines of festivities; the Indian diaspora breathes life into their history, celebrating their uniqueness while contributing to the multicultural mosaic of their adopted homes. Among the myriads of festivals that we celebrate, the Rath Yatra stands out for its magnificence, historical significance and profound devotion among people. 

The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot festival, is a prominent Hindu celebration performed yearly in Puri, Odisha, in honor of Lord Jagannath. This magnificent festival has the deities Jagannath (a form of Krishna), Balabhadra and Subhadra (his elder brother and sister) being taken out of their temple in a great procession to their garden shrine, known as Gundicha Temple for a week. The journey is done in three enormous, lavishly adorned chariots pushed by thousands of devotees.

Mythological Stories and Historical Significance

Based on historical accounts and inscriptions, it appears that the event was observed in the 12th century under the reign of King Purushottama Deva. As per Hindu folklore, Lord Jagannath and his siblings commute to visit their aunt Gundicha every year as an expression of their affection and devotion to one another. It’s particularly crucial to understand the internal explanation provided by Gaudiya Vaishnavism in order to better comprehend how and why the festival is currently observed in both large and small communities around the world. 

In Puri, the Jagannath Rathyatra procession follows a predetermined path that begins at the Jagannath Temple and ends about two miles later at the Gundicha Temple. The chariots pass by many notable locations along the route, such as the well-known Bada Danda (Grand Avenue) and the Mausi Maa Temple. The spiritual nature of the journey is enhanced by the historical and religious importance of these landmarks. 

The idea of divine oneness is one of the fundamental ideas of the Jagannath Rathyatra. It is believed that the chariot ride from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple metaphorically demonstrates the soul’s journey towards the path of God. It represents the desire of the devotee to achieve spiritual enlightenment, transcend earthly attachments and unite with the divine. 

Two weeks prior to the actual procession, on a day known as Snāna Yatra, Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra are taken out of the Jagannātha Temple for abhisheka, a public ceremony where devotees are blessed to see the deities as they are bathed in holy water by priests. This is when Ratha Yatra really starts. The deities usually become ill in the evening following the abhisheka due to their long outdoor bath, at which point they are brought back inside the temple and placed in a separate chamber where they are kept out of the public eye for a period of fifteen days. The deities are given new paintwork and herbal treatments to aid their healing during this time, which is only accessible to the temple priests. Following their confinement, they mount their chariots and are dragged by followers over two miles to the Gundica Temple, where they stay for nine days before making their way back to their own temple. 

Krishna, when in Dwarka, experienced immense separation from the gopis, who were deeply in love with him. When he, Balarama and Subhadra overheard a conversation about the gopis’ love for Krishna; they were overwhelmed by the emotions. Their eyes opened wide and filled with tears and hair began to stand on end. Their arms and legs then contracted. Experiencing this profound love in separation and recognizing the pain felt by the residents of Vrindavan, the deities Jagannātha, Baladeva and Subhadra are said to represent the triad in this profound state of ecstatic love in separation. 

To Gaudiya Vaishnava followers, the so-called sickness Jagannātha experiences after abhisheka is actually a heavy heart due to him missing Vrindavan and Gopis. He therefore pretends to be ill, claiming he needs a change of scene to help him recover. Hence, the Ratha

Yātrā festival signifies his return to Vrindavan (represented by the Gundicā Temple), where he can have his long-awaited reunion with the Gopis.

Celebrations in Diaspora Communities

The ‘colonial’ British characterized Lord Jagannātha as a “frightful visage painted black, with a distended mouth of bloody horror,” which was in keeping with their early portrayals of India as primitive and full of worship and mythology. They came up with the phrase “juggernaut”—which is defined as “a huge, powerful, and overwhelming force, or institution”—after witnessing the magnificent parade of the chariots. The story has changed 360 degrees now, there is wide acceptance of this festival among the British masses along with Indians. 

The festival’s actual spiritual importance wasn’t recognized until 1967, when A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for KrishnaConsciousness (ISKCON) conducted the first Ratha Yātrā celebration outside of India in San Francisco. Over the years, the Jagannath Rath Yatra has traveled across borders, bringing its message of devotion, togetherness, and cultural richness to every corner of the globe. The celebration of this auspicious occasion in various locations reflects the worldwide reach of Hindu traditions and deep-rooted links that connect people across frontiers. When devotees from different countries come together to draw chariots and participate in the festivities, they not only honor their religious beliefs but also develop a sense of community and belongingness. The Jagannath Rath Yatra has indeed made its way from Puri throughout the world, enhancing people’s lives and uniting them via Lord Jagannath’s divine journey.

Each Ratha Yatra takes place at a period that maximizes public involvement for the city in which it is held, considering the great value of experiencing Krishna in this way on the path of bhakti, or the yoga of devotion. Because of this, many of them depart from the original date and timetable that the Ratha Yātrā in Puri followed. Ultimately, there is more to watching the spectacle than just enjoying a beautiful day outside as the gods are being pulled along the streets. It’s about realizing the love that the Lord and his followers share for one another, which is made even stronger by their long separation. 

The Rath Yatra festival is celebrated across different countries and continents from the east to west and north to south. Indian diaspora in the United States, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, South Africa and elsewhere celebrate the festival with great fervor, spirituality and faith. Widely held celebrations include chariot processions, cultural programs including dance and music, distribution of ‘prasadam’ and community gatherings.

Glimpses, Stories and Memories from different regions

The Rath Yatra festivals abroad are often marked by unique stories and notable events that underline the festival’s significance and the Indian diaspora’s dedication to preserving their culture. These unique styles of celebrations mark the different paths of Bhakti. 

 In 2022, the New York Rath Yatra celebrated its 50th anniversary, a milestone that underscored the festival’s enduring appeal and significance. The event saw participation from various Indian organizations, local officials and international visitors. 

• London’s first Rath Yatra took place in 1969. The festival was arranged by eight pioneering devotees and their congregation. The procession started at the Marble Arch and proceeded to Trafalgar Square. Shyamasundar Dasa built the first chariot for Lord Jagannath in London.
• The discovery of idols of Deities in San Francisco which was brought by the Indian couple – Malati and Shyamasundar led to the beginning of the Rath Yatra in America. (How Jagannatha’s discovery in a store led to America’s first-ever Ratha Yatra) 
• Involvement of the Indian embassy in Japan: Ambassador’s speech on the occasion of Rath Yatra Celebrations in Kawasaki City on July 10th, 2021, “I am extremely happy to be part of…. in Japan to mark the 10th year celebration of Sri Jagannath Ratha Yatra in Kawasaki city.”
• The Toronto Rath Yatra, held at the scenic Centre Island, is a day-long festival that includes a chariot procession, cultural performances, and a grand feast. It stands out for its emphasis on multiculturalism. In recent years, the festival has featured performances by artists from various cultural backgrounds, including Indigenous groups

The Rath Yatra event, with its deep historical origins and exuberant celebrations, is an important cultural touchstone for Indian communities across the world. It’s a powerful statement of the value of preserving traditions and recognizing culture. As the celebration spreads throughout the world, it not only deepens relationships within the Indian diaspora but also builds a bridge of understanding and respect with other cultures. The Rath Yatra offers a bit and more of India to the globe by joyful pulling chariots, singing religious songs and relishing traditional cuisines; reminding us all of the beauty and relevance of cultural heritage.