Rathyatra Mela
Rathyatra Mela is a religious festival that takes place in the holy city of Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Banaras, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The festival is celebrated to mark the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, along with his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, from their temple in Jagannath Puri, Odisha, to their aunt's temple, the Gundicha Temple, which is located at a distance of about 2 km from the main temple.
During the festival, huge chariots carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are taken out in a grand procession through the streets of Varanasi. Thousands of devotees throng the streets to catch a glimpse of the deities and seek their blessings. The chariots are decorated with flowers, clothes, and other decorative items, and are pulled by devotees using ropes.
The festival is celebrated on the second day of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the Hindu month of Ashadha, which falls in June or July according to the Gregorian calendar. It is believed that those who take part in the Rathyatra Mela and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath will be blessed with peace, prosperity, and happiness in their lives.
Apart from the chariot procession, the festival also features various cultural programs, including folk dances, music performances, and fairs. The Rathyatra Mela in Varanasi is one of the most popular and grandest festivals celebrated in the city and attracts tourists and devotees
