500-Year-Old Rath Yatra Festival Traditions Continue in Kulingram Village, India

The historic Kulingram village in the Purba Bardhaman district of West Bengal has been continuing the Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival) tradition with great devotion for over 500 years. This village, which bears the traces of Sri Chaitanya, has a deep historical connection with the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The festival, initiated by the Vasu family, also houses interesting traditions such as sending silk sashes from Kulingram for the main chariot in Puri in the past.

The Jagannath Temple in the center of the village houses the figures of Jagannath, Balaram, and Subhadra made from jackfruit wood. During the festival period, these figures are repainted and placed on the massive wooden chariot, which is about 30 feet tall. The vehicle is carefully constructed from sal, teak, and river woods. As part of the rituals, specific offerings such as jackfruit, khichuri, and rice are offered to the deities.

On the festival day, after the figures are circled seven times around the temple, they are placed on the chariot and pulled to an area known as 'Rath Tala' in the afternoon. This area belongs to the Raghunath Temple, which is considered the 'aunt's house' of Jagannath. With the local tourism department recognizing this region as one of the major tourist centers in Bengal, the event has now ceased to be merely a local ritual and has begun to gain recognition internationally.