Puri: A black-and-white video claiming to depict the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri from 1932 has gone viral on social media, attracting millions of views and sparking widespread interest among devotees and history enthusiasts. The footage, widely shared on Instagram, is titled “Rarest Footage of Puri Ratha Yatra 1932” and features the British Pathé logo along with the watermark of a page named Finding Temples.
The clip has resurfaced while this year’s annual Jagannath Rath Yatra is underway in Odisha, where lakhs of devotees have gathered to witness the sacred chariot procession from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
It is important to note that the authenticity of the viral video and the claim that it was filmed in 1932 have not been independently verified.
Vintage footage captures grand procession
The black-and-white footage shows massive crowds of devotees surrounding the towering wooden chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra as they move through the streets of Puri.
Several scenes depict devotees pulling the gigantic chariots using thick ropes while thousands of spectators watch the procession from both sides of the road. Elevated platforms packed with people and the festive atmosphere offer what appears to be a glimpse of an earlier era of the centuries-old Rath Yatra tradition.
The vintage visuals have fascinated social media users, with many appreciating the apparent continuity of traditions over generations.
Social media reacts emotionally
The video has generated significant engagement on Instagram, where users shared emotional reactions after watching the historic-looking footage.
One user commented, “None of the people are alive today but tradition is.”
Another wrote, “When you realise, not a single person in this footage can see the footage now. But only Lord Jagannath can see it all.”
A third user simply described Lord Jagannath as the “Lord of the World,” echoing the spiritual sentiments associated with the annual festival.
The nostalgic visuals and devotional significance of the procession have contributed to the clip’s widespread popularity online.
One of India’s largest religious festivals
The Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of India’s oldest and most significant religious festivals, drawing hundreds of thousands of devotees from across the country and abroad every year.
The annual procession is held in Puri, Odisha, where the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are taken from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple in elaborately decorated wooden chariots.
This year’s Rath Yatra began on July 16 and will continue until July 24, with Puri witnessing massive crowds of pilgrims and visitors throughout the festival.
Religious significance of Rath Yatra
According to the Hindu calendar, the Rath Yatra is observed every year on the Dwitiya Tithi of the Shukla Paksha during the month of Ashadha.
Three new wooden chariots are specially constructed each year for the deities. The procession traditionally begins with the chariot of Lord Balabhadra, followed by Devi Subhadra, while Lord Jagannath’s chariot, Nandighosh, proceeds last.
The festival is considered unique because it provides devotees with an opportunity to have darshan of the deities outside the sanctum of the Jagannath Temple, making the divine accessible to everyone.
Many devotees also believe that pulling the ropes of the chariots brings spiritual merit and divine blessings.
Nine-day celebration
During the nine-day festival, the deities travel to the Gundicha Temple, traditionally believed to be the home of Lord Jagannath’s aunt.
After staying there for several days, the deities return to the Jagannath Temple during the Bahuda Yatra, before being ceremonially reinstalled on the Ratnavedi, marking the conclusion of the annual festival.
While the viral video continues to captivate viewers with its historical appeal, its claimed origin from 1932 remains unverified. Nevertheless, the enduring traditions of the Jagannath Rath Yatra continue to inspire millions, highlighting the festival’s deep cultural, historical and spiritual significance across generations.
