Ratha Yatra of Mahishadal serves to the devotee for its beauty of colour and religious faith. Rath Yatra festival of Mahishadal completes with towering raths of royal touch. Some of this rath yatras dates back a couple of centuries and attracts devotees from far and wide.

Mahishadal is a royal place and once a royal capital of East Midnapore District in West Bengal. The 75 feet high rath of Mahisdal is said to be highest wooden rath (chariot) in the world.

Rath Yatra of Mahishadal was started by Rani Janaki Devi in the year 1776. The chariot of Mahishadal has undergone several changes but its main structure has remained the same for the last 240 years. The ratha is of 17 pinnacled structures. It was reduced to 13 pinnacles in the year 1860 with the lower four pinnacle being replaced with wooden statues of men holding flags.

The rath yatra of Mahishadal is inaugurated by the local king Hariprasad Garg. The Hariprasad Garg who arrives in a palanquin, starts the rath yatra by giving the first tug on the ropes of the chariot. The inauguration is marked by gun shoot and the gun shoots continues throughout the entire rath yatra.

Rath Yatra of Mahishadal is of five storied wooden chariot towers to a height of 75 feet and measures 28 feet X 28 feet at the base. The walls of the chariot of Mahishadal are brightly painted and decorated with statues. The gigantic chariot runs on 36 wheels. The ratha yatra of Mahishadal starts at about 3 pm but it is advisable to reach the place early as vehicular traffic closes a couple of hours before the rath yatra starts.

The chariot of Mahishadal is pulled by four thick ropes, out of which one is reserved for women. The chariot of Mahishadal is pulled through muddy and slushy ground in a wild rampage and it seems a miracle that the event goes on without a stampede.

The chariot puller of Mahishadal follow the instruction of a volunteer who stands high up on the chariot with a red and green flags raising them one at a time instructing to stop and pull respectively. The young bare bodied men play in the mud to celebrate the event. They also throw mud at each other and play an active role in chariot pulling.

The chariot of Mahishadal is monitored by volunteers of local clubs and Bharat Sevashram Sangha along with National Cadet Crops.