Rather Mela - A Portrait

The event of 'Ratha Yatra' is marked by a Mela (Fair) providing all shorts of entertainment from Merry go Round rides to Magic Shows. There are makeshift stalls selling anything from fast food to sweets and from artifacts to things of day to day use.

 

SEE MY RATHA YATRA SET: flic.kr/s/aHsjvgCtC2

 

Ratha Yatra

The 'Rath Yatra' or Festival of Chariots is one of the greatest festivals annually observed all over India. The festival, however, originated in Jagannath Puri on the eastern coast of the state of Orissa, India. The festival is associated with Lord Jagannath and commemorates his annual journey to his aunt's residence along with his brother and sister.

 

The symbolic movement of the chariot of Jagannath is celebrated with much fanfare. The idols are brought back after a week in the chariot in the festival of 'Ulto Ratha' (reversed Ratha). The week is synonymous with numerous fairs ('Rather Mela').

 

Images of Bengal, India

 

Selected as Photograph of the Week

All Around the World... - Front Page

Face of the Week! (August 5, 2011)

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