Ratha Yatra in West Bengal has close similarity with the Ratha Yatra in Odisha. From the galli maidan, Ratha Yatra is celebrated with much pomp. Its worshipping deities are Lord Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra. The celebration of Ratha Yatra is found widely in the galli, organised by the young boys and girls and the organisation where Lord Krishna and Lord Jagannath is worshipped. In Kolkata and West Bengal, during Ratha Yatra festival, regional fairs are held and there is much response in Ratha Yatra fair in every locality. Some of the most widely known Ratha Yatra in West Bengal are ISCKON Ratha Yatra in Kolkata, Rashbehari Ratha Yatra in Kolkata, Mahesh Ratha Yatra in Hooghly District, Mahishadal Ratha Yatra in East Midnapore District, Guptipara Ratha Yatra and Rajbalhat Ratha Yatra.

Rath Yatra of Mahesh
The history of Nahesh Ratha Yatra says that in 14th century Bengal, Dhurbananda Bramhachari, a Bengali sage went to Puri for a pilgrimage, with the desire to offer Bhog to Lord Jagannath. Sadly the temple authorities at Puri at that time prevented him from doing so. Dejected Dhurabnanda decided to fast till death. On the third day of his fast he heard Lord Jagannath"s voice. There Lord Jagganth advising him to head back to Bengal (now West Bengal), to a place called Mahesh on the banks of Hooghly District. The Lord Jagannth also advised him that at Mahesh he will find a huge trunk of neem tree, which he will use to make the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra. Now the temple has been replaced by a new structure but the Ratha Yatra dates back to 1397. This Ratha Yatra Festival is the oldest but also the biggest Ratha Yatra in West Bengal.

Guptipara Ratha Yatra
Guptipara is a great place for the sweet lovers of West Bengal. The most famous is the Gupo Sandesh, which is considered as the first branded sweetmeat of undivided Bengal.The Bridabamchandra Temple houses the idol of Lord Jaganath, Balaram and Subhadra. On the day of the Ratha Yatra, the idols are carried out by the towering chariot to another temple known as "Masir Bari" where it is kept for 7 days. After which the journey is retraced by the rath, known as ulto rath, and the idols are brought back to the Brindabanchandra Temple. The enormous nine pinnacle iron chariot is decorated with coloured festoons and banners and is fitted with wooden horses and several wooden statues. The multi wheeled rath is pulled by four thick ropes, out which one is reserved for women. A rope at the back serves as a brake. The chariot is pulled through muddy and slushy ground in a wild rampage. It seems a miracle that the Ratha Yatra goes on with a stampede. The seven day period between the ratha and ulto ratha is marked with a fair. The fair is complete with merry-go-rounds and magic and circus shows, makeshift stalls sell household items and decorative showpieces.

Mahishadal Rath Yatra
Mahishadal in East Midnapore is the rath yatras of West Bengal. The 75 feet high rath of Mahisdal is said to be highest wooden chariot in the world. Mahishadal Rath Yatra was started by Rani Janaki Devi in the year 1776. The chariot has undergone several changes but its main structure has remained the same for the last 240 years. Originally the chariot of Mahishadal Ratha Yatra is of a 17 pinnacle structure, but was reduced to 13 pinnacles in the year 1860 with the lower four pinnacle being replaced with wooden statues of men holding flags.

Rajbalhat Rath Yatra
The Radhakanta temple was built in the year 1733. It stands on a square base of approximately 20 feet length and rises to a height of about 50 feet. The front face consists of elaborate terracotta. The temple has a triple arched entrance with the arch panels consisting of elaborate battle scenes of Ramayana. The base panels mainly consist of images of ships and boats and of royal chariots and processions of Bengal history. Radhakanta Temple of Ghatakpara is famous for its Ratha Yatra. It has the nine pinnacled rath, once had brass pinnacles but the metals are replaced by cheaper metal. The towering chariot runs on 12 gigantic metal wheels and the ratha is pulled in a wild rampage through the slushy ground in front of the Rajbalhat High School.