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Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024 is not just an event; for me, it is a journey back to my roots, and a celebration of my heritage.
Jai Jagannath!!!
With my bags packed, I was waiting for my ride to JFK International Airport. I could hardly contain my excitement as I was finally visiting my hometown in India after 5 long years. My heart swelled with a million emotions – not only did the week-long holiday to my hometown in Puri come after half a decade, but my visit perfectly aligned with the auspicious festival of Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra. By the time I reached the airport, I could almost hear the voice of millions of devotees chanting the lord’s name while they pulled the ‘Rath’ or chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
This trip was special for me, so allow me to take you on a spiritual journey on how I spent a week celebrating Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha. Here’s my weeklong day by day itinerary for Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024.
As the plane descended into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport in Mumbai, it suddenly hit me – I was back in my home country after 5 years. And soon another realisation hit me – I needed to hurry up as I only had half a day to meet a friend and then head to Bhubaneswar. Since I was travelling light, I bought a few gifts for him at the Duty-Free store at the Mumbai Airport. To save time, I pre-booked the things I wanted on the Adani One app.
After catching up with my friend and getting a much-needed shower, we headed back to the Mumbai Airport for our flight to Bhubaneswar. Since the trip was planned in advance, my friend had booked our flight tickets on Adani One– time and money, both saved.
As the flight hit the tarmac at the Biju Patnaik Airport, my heart swelled with a mixture of excitement and nostalgia. Because after five long years, I was finally back in Odisha – and that too, just in time for the world-renowned Puri Rath Yatra. Back when I was a child, Rath Yatra was a big part of our annual calendar. And the thought of experiencing it again, as an adult, filled me with anticipation.
From Bhubaneswar, we took a comfortable AC bus to Puri. Now, here too, the all-in-one travel app came in handy as we booked our bus tickets on Adani One – great offers and reliability made us opt for Adani One. And also, the fact that most of our bookings were in one location. After a short 2-hour bus ride, we reached Puri. The roads were adorned with vibrant banners, and the air buzzed with the festive spirit.
Our day ended as we checked into Treebo Trend Sidhartha International – the hotel we booked on Adani One. Must be wondering why I booked a hotel if Puri was my hometown? Well, as with most people in India, most of our family friends migrated to other areas of the state, and my parents moved in with me in the US last year.
With the Rath Yatra scheduled for the next day, I had a full day to rediscover Puri. I started my morning with a visit to one of the popular breakfast places in the city – Mama’s Café. Chef Surya at the cafe treated me to a Special Thali and some lip-smacking Banana Pancakes. While Mama’s Café will always be close to my heart for its comfort food, some other breakfast places in Puri include – New Parijat Restaurant, Food Court Vbrance, and Kakkson Villa.
To make the most of our day, we headed to Sudarshan Crafts Museum after our breakfast. The museum took us back in time to see the rich artistic heritage of Odisha. The intricate wood and stone carvings reminded me of the state’s cultural depth. We wandered through the bustling streets of Puri, indulging in local delicacies like the famous Puri Khaja and Dalma.
By evening, we were at the Golden Beach. The rhythmic waves and the sight of the sun setting brought a sense of tranquillity, a stark contrast to the energetic atmosphere of the upcoming festival.
Day 3 of my trip was all about Lord Jagannath. Given this day was about Rath Yatra, we started early and joined the throngs of devotees heading towards the Jagannath Temple. From what it felt like, the entire city came together to be in motion. The chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra were waiting for us, and the energy was palpable.
The streets were filled with devotees who were dressed in traditional attire and sang devotional songs. As the gigantic chariots, beautifully decorated and standing tall, began their journey, the crowd surged forward. Helping pull the chariots, despite the sheer physical effort, felt profoundly purifying. It felt like that with every step I took, I was reconnecting with my heritage.
After the chariots were at the halfway mark from the Gundicha Temple, my friend and I called it a day and headed to our hotel. Given the physical effort put in, we slept in minutes.
ALSO: Explore the Best Deals on Flights, Trains, Hotels Booking during Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024
As people continued to enjoy the festivities, given the paucity of time, we decided to head to the Konark Sun Temple. Only about an hour’s drive from Puri, we reached the heritage site, and we were awestruck. The magnificent sight of this 13th-century temple took me back to my childhood when my parents would bring us here at least once a month. The intricate carvings and historical significance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site are unlike anything you’ll find in any other part of the country.
After visiting the temple, we headed to Chandrabhaga Beach for a relaxing time and after a hearty lunch, we visited the Raghurajpur Artist Village. The place is famous for its local artisans who create exquisite Pattachitra paintings. Interacting with these artists and witnessing their dedication to preserving traditional art forms was inspiring.
My trip to the Jagannath Puri for the grand Rath Yatra had ended and I was on my way back to New York. I knew, that while my life would continue in my ‘karm bhoomi’, my heart would always be in Odisha, especially the fond memories I made during the Rath Yatra 2024.
As I boarded my flight from Bhubaneswar to Mumbai and then to JFK, I carried with me the vibrant memories and the deep spiritual connection I had rekindled. Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024 wasn’t just an event; it was a homecoming, a journey back to my roots, and a celebration of my heritage.
Until next time, Puri.
Jai Jagannath!!
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