Jagannath Rathyatra

 Backstory

Jagannath Ratha Yatra is a Chariot festival, with deities Jagannath (or Krishna), BalaBhadra (his brother Balaram) & Subhadra (his sister) on a ratha- a wooden deula-shaped chariot. 

‘Deula’  is an architectural element found in the Kalinga architecture style of Hindu temples. This is marked by a square base with curved ceilings meeting at the top from all four sides.

This is a public procession, celebrated in Orissa,  Jharkhand, West Bengal, and other East Indian states, particularly it's a big Odia festival. It attracts over a million Hindu pilgrims who join the procession each year.

The Rath Yatra is celebrated annually. Lord Jagannath along with Lord Balaram and Goddess Subhadra are taken on a yatra from the Jagannath temple in Puri to their aunt's home at Gundicha Mata Temple. While the idols are taken out on a Rath, their three chariots are pulled by devotees through the streets of Puri. Devotees who take part in pulling the chariots are seen singing songs and mantras along with the sound of drum beatings.

This illustration layout is inspired by the layout of terracotta panels of Bengal’s terracotta temple. The motifs used are inspired by alpona – a folk art form of Bengal.