Rath Yatra, or chariot festival, carrying Hindu deities Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra

Rath Yatra is a prominent annual Hindu festival celebrated with massive public processions in Kolkata. On July 16, 2026, devotees will gather to pull the traditional wooden chariots, known as raths, which carry the deities Jagannath, Balaram, and Subhadra. These processions are often organized by groups such as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and draw significant crowds of pilgrims and spectators.

The festival is characterized by a vibrant atmosphere where the streets are decorated with colored powder. Participants engage in rhythmic singing, dancing, and various road-side rituals. A unique cultural aspect of the event involves children dressing up as characters from Hindu epics, including Rama, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman, to participate in the religious parade.

While the Kolkata celebration is a major urban event, Rath Yatra is observed throughout India. The festival highlights deep-seated traditional values and communal participation, with similar massive chariot pullings occurring simultaneously in other cities like Puri, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad.