Puri Rath Yatra 2023: Chariot Festival in Odisha, India Indira Srivatsa Picture: Puri, Odisha, India. The Festival of Sun worship on a February morning to celebrate the Sunrise and all it implies. To celebrate Birth and Re-Birth. Puri is famous for its festivals the most famous being the Rath Yatra (Chariot festival). It commemorates the journey from light into dark (Birth and Re- Birth)each year and it commemorates Krishna's journey from Gokul to Mathura. The three raths (chariots) are taken out with the Lords Jagganath, Subhadra, and Balbahadra, in them. The main rath is 43ft high 33ft wide and has 16 wheels. It is drawn by men. The Divine procession is taken to the Temple and is there for a week before being brought back. It is the home of Lord Jagganath (Lord of the Universe). It is one of the four Holy Dharmas of India. A TO Z INDIA ● JUNE 2023 ● PAGE 7