Puri has been a city of festivals. There are sixty-two major festivals throughout the year. The most important one, of course, is Festival of Chariots (Ratha Yatra), wherein the Lord rides in the streets in his own cart, pulled with huge ropes by His loving devotees. Millions come from far and wide to enjoy the annual Ratha Yatra Festival, while the Lord is served by a multitude of happy devotees in a fabulous and elaborate parade.
The mammoth Ratha Yatra carts are a sight to behold. Jagannath’s own cart is fifty feet tall and thirty-six feet wide. Sixteen large wheels propel the giant cart of the Lord down the road, followed by two slightly smaller carts, one for Balabhadra and one for Subhadra. Over two thousand priests climb aboard the three carts to accompany the Lord as He is pulled through the teeming masses. As millions follow in the summer heat, praises of the Lord permeate Puri: “Jai Jagannath! All Glories to the Lord of the Universe!” This continues for several miles until the parade arrives at the Gundicha Temple, and seven days later, a similar festival ensues signifying the return of the Lord. The return festival is enacted with all the pomp and vigor of the initial parade.
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