Ratha Yatra

Puri in the Indian state of Odisha (formerly Orissa) hosts the Hindu chariot festival Ratha-yatra in honor of Jagannatha, the reincarnation of Krishna. The myths surrounding the festival are not entirely consistent. In any case, it is essentially a remembrance of Jagannath's annual visit to his birthplace.

Ratha means wagon, chariot or wheel; Yatra translated means pilgrimage. Ratha Yatras are held all over the world, whether in New York, London, or Cologne.

This festival has been held in several cities in Germany for many years. In His chariot, Jagannath gives everyone an opportunity to see Him and give Him pleasure through dancing and singing. A.CH. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, first introduced this festival in 1967 in San Francisco, USA. Since then it has been held in every major city in the world, including seven cities in Germany.

The Ratha Yatra begins on the second day of Shukla Paksha of the Hindu lunar month of Ashadha. It takes place every summer, usually in June or July.

Ashadha (Sanskrit आषाढ ) is a month of the Hindu calendar.In the unified national calendar of India, Ashadha is the fourth month of the year, beginning on June 22 and ending on July 22. It has 31 days. According to the lunar religious calendar, ashadha begins with the new or full moon in the same period of time and also goes as the fourth month of the year.