Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra or car festival of Puri Jagannath temple is one of the largest religious ceremonies of India. Next Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2014 date is July 29th, Sunday. Puri Rath yatra commemorates the journey of Lord Krishna from Gokul to Mathura. This annual festival is celebrated on Ashad Shukla Dwitiya (second day in bright fortnight of Ashad month).
As part of Rath Yatra, the idols of Lord Puri Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken out in a procession to Gundicha Temple and remain there for nine days. Then the idols or Rath Yatra returns to Puri Jagannath temple. The return journey of Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra is known as Bahuda Yatra. Chandan Jatra celebrated on Akshay Tritiya marks the beginning of Rath Yatra festival during when the making of chariots and sandalwood paste painting start.
