General Knowledge - Indian Culture - Discussion

Rath yatra will also celebrate for Ram.

Ratha Yatra, also referred to as Rathayatra, Rathjatra or Chariot festival is any public procession in a chariot. The term particularly refers to the annual Rathayatra in Odisha, Jharkhand and other East Indian states, particularly the Odia festival that involve a public procession with a chariot with deities Jagannath (Vishnu avatar) , Balabhadra (his brother) , Subhadra (his sister) and Sudarshana Chakra (his weapon) on a Ratha, a wooden deula-shaped chariot. It attracts over a million Hindu pilgrims who join the procession each year.

Rathayatra processions have been historically common in Vishnu-related (Jagannath, Rama, Krishna) traditions in Hinduism across India, in Shiva-related traditions, saints and goddesses in Nepal, with Tirthankaras in Jainism, as well as tribal folk religions found in the eastern states of India. Notable Ratha yatra's in India include the Ratha yatra of Puri, the Dhamrai Ratha Yatra and the Ratha Yatra of Mahesh. Hindu communities outside India, such as in Singapore, celebrate Rathayatra such as those associated with Jagannath, Krishna, Shiva and Mariamman. According to Knut Jacobsen, a Rathayatra has religious origins and meaning, but the events have a major community heritage, social sharing and cultural significance to the organizers and participants.

Originally Jagannath was a tribal god, known as "NILA MADHABA". But afterwards he was made an avatar of vishnu and was called jagannath (lord of the universe - jagat+nath). In the 12th century the jagannath temple was constructed and lord jagannath was worshipped there. Therefore it is called rath yatra of lord jagannath.