People in Orissa are religious. They accept Lord Jagannath as their racial Lord. So they celebrate all the festivals concerning him. Car festival in an important festival concerning Lord Jagannath. So this is a very important festival for the Oriyas.

On the date of the Car Festival, Lord Jagannath begins His nine days journey to the house of His aunt Shree Gundicha. He is accompanied by His elder brother Balabhadra and sister Goddess Subhadra. It is said that Lord Jagannath wants to show His darshan to all the people by coming down to the street. He is seated in a chariot instead of being confined to the temple. The chariot is drawn by the people of all castes.

The Car Festival is held in the month of Asadha. Three different chariots are constructed for three idols. Jagannath rides Nandighosa while Balabhadra is drawn in the chariot named Taladhwaja. Devi Subhadra adorns the chariot named Devi Dalan. Taladhwaja is drawn first. Then Devidalan is drawn.

Finally, the Nandighosha is drawn. Pilgrims show their eagerness and special interest to pull this last chariot. They believe that they will get salvation by pulling this chariot. The three chariots are drawn to the Gundicha House. The three deities live there for eight days. They come back on the ninth day. Their chariots are drawn back to the main temple.

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Although, the Car Festival is mainly observed in Puri, the festival has now gone beyond this small town. People in other parts of India and of the world also celebrate the Car Festival with greater interest.

People in large number gather to pull the chariots. For their convenience, the Government prepares temporary camps with all facilities. Steps are taken to prevent the outbreak of any epidemic.