Video: Indian community marks 15th Ratha Yatra in Dubai with chariot pulling, 56 Odia dishes

Dubai: Hundreds of Indian expat community members, mostly hailing from Odisha, celebrated the 15^th edition of Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival) in Dubai on Sunday.
Organised under the banner of Odisha Samaj UAE, the festival drew people from across all emirates to mark the occasion dedicated to deity Jagannath.

The Chariot Festival of Puri, Odisha, is dedicated to Hindu deities Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra. During the festival, the three deities are placed on a giant wooden chariot pulled by community members from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. The English word ‘juggernaut’ originates from this festival, referring to the massive chariot of deity Jagannath.

What started 15 years ago as a small gathering of expats has turned into a much-awaited cultural event, celebrated with vibrant participation from the Indian community, mainly those from Odisha. Traditions like pulling the handcrafted chariot, ceremonial rituals, cultural programmes, devotional songs, and a special spread of 56 home-made vegetarian dishes mark the occasion. The chariot is prepared by volunteers and artisans over a period of 30 days, using materials available locally.

Watch the video of the celebrations:

At Star International School, the day began with prayer sessions, followed by traditional rituals. More than 100 Odia families prepared 56 traditional delicacies – part of traditional Jagannath temple customs. Children dressed in classical attire performed dances. Later, the chariot was pulled with great enthusiasm and devotion, accompanied by chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’. According to the organisers, more than 1,000 people attended the festival.

Amiya Mishra, President of Odisha Samaj UAE, said the festival is the community’s “emotional connection” to home and heritage.
“For 15 years now, we’ve been able to recreate a piece of Odisha in the heart of the UAE, and we will continue to do so,” said Mishra, a Dubai resident.

Echoing similar views, Bishrava Hota, a marketing professional, said: “I’ve been living in Sharjah for the past 10 years, but every year, come Ratha Yatra, my heart pulls me to Dubai. This celebration feels like a slice of home. Watching the chariot roll down, hearing the chants, and seeing the community come together – it’s not just tradition, it’s emotion. For us, this is our spiritual reunion.”

Sailaj Das, a resident of Fujairah, said the festival offers a great opportunity to meet fellow Odia community members, making it a “big family” reunion.
“We speak in our mother tongue, share stories, laugh, and most importantly, eat the food we grew up with. For a few precious hours, Dubai feels like Puri.”

Anamitra Roy, a senior IT professional hailing from West Bengal, noted that the festival is close to his heart.
“For every Bengali, it is not just a puja or an occasion – it’s a full-fledged festival and a deep expression of devotion to Lord Jagannath. I’ve been attending it for years, and what truly stands out is how it brings people together across communities and cultures,” said Anamitra, a Dubai resident for more than a decade.