Ratha Yatra

The Ratha Yatra is a “Chariot Pilgrimage,” a festive celebration during which the image of one of the Gods is taken out of the temple and into the streets for a procession. The images consecrated for this purpose are special festival images or processional images, duplicates of the Gods established in the temple. The ratha or “chariot” is decorated like a portable temple for a trip through the streets. Devotees by the hundreds lend a hand to pull the deity’s chariot by its long ropes. There is dancing, chanting, and the singing of devotional bhajans all along the parade route. Both Krishna and Ganesha have their Ratha Yatras in the United States.