This is an important occasion for the Hindus in Orissa and hoardes of people gather to participate in the Rath Yatra (chariot) which forms a major part of the festival.
Jagganath is another name for Krishna and he is worshipped as Jagannath in Orissa. His brother Balram or Balbhadra and sister Subhadra are also worshipped along with him and are carried in the procession.
The idols of the gods are taken out in gigantic chariots (rathas), which measure almost 45 feet in height. Pilgrims and devotees pull the chariots with long, sturdy ropes and carry them to a long distance along the main road from the temple. The twin strains of physical effort and of devotion create near hysteria and sometimes people are so enthralled that they are known to have thrown themselves under the giant wheels of the chariots, in the hope of getting immediate moksha (salvation).
The term Juggernaut derives from this festival as the devotees are like a force which seem impossible to stop.

Where: Puri, in Orissa.