Jagannath shrine in Orissa is counted among  the four scared shrines of  Sanatan Dharma (known as the  Chaar Dhams), established by Adi  Shankaracharya. The annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath draws devotees from every corner of the world. The Yatra commences on Ashaad  Shukla Dwitiya of Vikram samvat. On this day the presiding deities of the temple lord Jagannath (Krishna), balabhadra (balaraam) and their sister Subhadra are taken through the streets in heavily decorated wooden chariots, which are made every year for the purpose. The chariots are not drawn by horses but by numerous devotees who carry the Lord to Gundicha temple, which is nearly two miles away from the shrine.Before the procession begins, the erstwhile King of Orissa follows a ritual of seeping the ground for Lord. The Chariot of Lord Jagannath is called Nandighosha .it is 45 ft high & hass 16 wheels and is decorated with red and yellow clothes. Taladhwaja is lord Balabhadra’s chariot and has a palm tree on its flag. Its 40 ft high, has 14 wheels and is covered with red and blue drapes. Devi  Subhadra boards the chariot called Dwarpadalana, literally “trampler of pride”. It is 43 ft high and is driven on 12 wheels. it is draped in red and black cloth. The yatra is called by different names like, Gundicha Jatra, Ghosa Jatra, Navadina Jatra, Dasavatara Jatra and many others. The Yatra has been glorified in various religious texts. Kathopanishada declares “The body is the Chariot and the soul is the deity installed in the chariot. The wisdom acts as the charioteer to control the mind and thoughts.” The sanctity of the festival is such that even a touch of the chariot or even the ropes with which these are pulled is considered enough to confer the results of several pious deeds or penance for ages. This is the only day when devotees who are not allowed in the temple premises such as non-Hindus and foreigners, can get their glimpse of the deities. The interesting fact about the Rathyatra is that on their way to Gundicha temple, the three Lords halt for a while at Mausima’s temple (aunt’s abode). Lord Jagannath is said to catch fever during the journey, so He and His siblings rest at their aunt’s place to gain health, for three days and then proceed to their destination, the Gundicha temple. The Yatra ends on the tenth day when the three Lords return to the Shrine. Jagannath Yatra in Udaipur Devotees make huge and glorious chariots for carrying idols of three deities separately. Following the ritual, in Udaipur on the same date every year idol of Lord Jagdish  is taken out for a Yatra (journey) in the city, a special chariot is also prepared for the lord all the devotees of the god thus gets an opportunity to bow in front of lord and see him. This year a wooden chariot weighing 2,100 Kgs with silver plating of 51 Kgs on it is constructed. Yatra started from Jagdish Mandir Jagdish chowk  and headed towards Ghanta Ghar, Bada Bajar, Mochiwada, Bhadbhuja Ghati, Santoshi Mata Mandir, Mandi, Marshall Chauraha, Jhiniret Chowk, Asthal Mandir, R.M.V., Bhattiyani Chohatta and ende with Maha Arti at Jagdish Chowk. Mayor Rajni Dangi and M.L.A. Mr Gulab Chand kataria also gathered to participate in Rath Yatra. Different communities and trade groups were hosting refreshment stalls and welcoming the yatra. There are some more pictures we  of today’s Rath Yatra in Udaipur