Significance
The Jagannath Rath Yatra is the world-famous chariot festival of Puri, when Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra journey from the Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple on colossal wooden chariots.
It is the one day the deities leave the sanctum to give darshan to all, regardless of caste or creed — a symbol of divine accessibility.
Rituals
Millions gather to pull the three towering chariots with thick ropes, an act considered deeply meritorious. The deities stay at Gundicha for a week before the return journey (Bahuda Yatra). Chhera Pahara — the ceremonial sweeping of the chariots by the king — precedes the pulling.
How the date is fixed
The Rath Yatra begins on the Dwitiya (second tithi) of Ashadha Shukla paksha.