Rath Yatra is a spectacular chariot festival celebrated for 8
days every year on 3rd day (Tritriya) of bright fortnight (Shukla
Paksha) of the Hindu month of Asadha (June-July). Every year the
deities of Shri Jagannatha Mandir-Lord Krishna, Balaram
and and their sister Subhadra-are installed on huge chariots and
thousands of devotees pull the chariots in a yatra (procession)
through the streets. They are taken to their aunts place at Gundicha
Mandir where they rest for 7 days before returning back to Shri
Jagannatha Mandir.Legend : There are many legendary tales behind this Rath Yatra. Some say that Lord Jagannatha is said to have expressed his desire to visit his birthplace once every year. Others say that Subhadra wanted to visit Dwarka and her two brothers Jagannatha and Balaram took her there on this day. According to Bhagavad Puran, Krishna and Balaram went to Mathura on the invitation of Kansa to participate in the competition, on this day. The entire Ratha Yatra is supposed to be a symbolic humanization of God. All rituals demonstrate an attempt to bring the God down from His pedestal of glory to a more human level.
Significance
Thousands of devotees come to Puri during Rath Yatra as they believe that a glimpse of Lord Jagannatha in his chariot gives salvation.