It is believed that in mid summer season Lord Jagannath travelled on grand chariots or rath from his temple in Puri to his garden palace in the countryside along with his sister Subhadra and elder brother Balabhadra. They go on vacation and since then Rath Yatra festival is celebrated by people. It is believed that Jagannath is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Rath Yatra is celebrated by Hindus annually in early July at Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa in India.

In three gigantic chariots the images of Lord Jagannath – the Lord of the Universe, his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra are taken out in procession. The idols are bathed, dressed and placed in their chariots. The main chariot is 14 meters high and 10 meters square with 16 wheels. These chariots are pulled by thousands devotees amidst the beating of drums and gongs to Gundicha Temple that is 3 km away. There they stay for a week and after that on Ashadha Sukla Dasami a return journey from Gundicha temple to the main temple is followed in the same way as Rath Yatra. On the occasion houses and shops are decorated with vermillion, flowers and lights. Best sweets and dishes are prepared.