The Rath Yatra of Mahesh in Bengal, second oldest in the world, turns 623 years | Lifestyle News, The Indian Express

The Rath Yatra of Mahesh in Bengal, second oldest in the world, turns 623 years | Lifestyle News, The Indian Express

By Lifestyle Desk |New Delhi |Updated: July 4, 2019 3:10:51 pm

The Rath Yatra of Mahesh in Bengal, second oldest in the world, turns 623 years

The Mahesh Rath Yatra is considered to be the second oldest chariot festival in the world and the oldest in Bengal, having been celebrated since 1396.

Thousands of people come down to attend the Mahesh Rath Yatra in Bengal each year. (Source: WikiMedia commons)

While everyone knows of the famous Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, there is one other in Bengal that has quite a huge devout following as well. This is the Rath Yatra of Mahesh in Hooghly district’s Sreerampore, which is said to be the second oldest chariot festival in the world and the oldest in Bengal, having been celebrated since 1396 on the same day as the Puri Ratha Yatra. This year marks its 623rd edition.