Ratha Yatra

This Hindu festival, also referred to as Rathjatra or Chariot Festival. It is a celebration of love for Lord Jagannath and his siblings Balabhadr and Subhadra, as well as his weapon Sudarshana Chakra.

Who celebrates?

Hindus around the world.

How do people celebrate?

• The celebration includes a procession of chariots carrying statues of the deities
• The procession is accompanied by music and dancing and people providing free vegetarian food.

What should I know?

• In India it is observed as a 9 day event but in other countries is often reduced to 1 day
• It is the only time that deities are removed from their temple to another
• It is believed to be the oldest chariot procession in the world
• In the 2011 census 1.5% of the UK identified as Hindu.

How can I support others?

• Ask people if they or their families will be celebrating
• Do not assume that if someone’s family is Hindu that they will be celebrating
• Encourage celebrations internally and externally
• Talk to your team about the religious representation among your volunteer, employee and service user population and if it’s representative of your area.

Ratha Yatra festivals UK: https://rathayatra.co.uk/

BBC: The legend of Ratha Yatra: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48864239

BBC Hindi video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWSjuL0U31s

Ratha Yatra recipes: http://www.peekncook.com/Display-Occasion-Recipes/2030/ratha-yatra