The Rath Yatra of Puri is one of India's great religious processions.
Huge chariots associated with Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra move through the city amid immense crowds of devotees.
The Chariots of Jagannath
Three massive wooden chariots are built afresh each year:
Nandighosa (Jagannath) — 45 feet tall, 16 wheels.
Taladhwaja (Balabhadra) — 44 feet tall, 14 wheels.
Darpadalana (Subhadra) — 43 feet tall, 12 wheels.
Devotees pull the chariots with enormous ropes along the ceremonial Bada Danda street from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
The Scale
The scale can be extraordinary. Hundreds of thousands of devotees gather.
For travelers, the festival demonstrates how an entire city can become part of a religious event. Because of the crowds, anyone planning to visit should pay close attention to official safety and access instructions.