Rath Yatra (also known as Ratha Jatra or the Festival of Chariots) is one of the oldest and most heavily attended Hindu festivals in the world, celebrated primarily in the coastal city of Puri, in the state of Odisha, India. This annual festival commemorates the journey of Lord Jagannath (a manifestation of Krishna), along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, from their main sanctuary to the Gundicha Temple.
In Bangladesh, Rath Jatra (often spelled Roth Jatra in Bengali) is one of the most important festivals for the country's Hindu minority. The festival attracts thousands of devotees every year and is celebrated with great religious fervor, especially in the capital, Dhaka, and the historic town of Dhamrai, the most famous and historic.
The Dhamrai Jagannath Roth is one of the largest chariot-shaped temples in the world outside of India and the epicenter of Hindu festivities in Bangladesh. It holds a historical and religious legacy spanning nearly 400 years (with some oral traditions tracing it back close to 500 years).
The festival lasts for a total of nine days, starting with the journey of the decorated chariots and concluding with the return journey, known as Ulto Rath.
Photo Gallery: © Holger Hoffmann & Jordi Zaragozà Anglès / Bangladesh - 2026