It is believed that having darshan of Bamana (Vamana murti)
atop the Jagannath chariot will help a devotee achieve liberation from cycle of
birth and death.
There is a famous quote about the darshan of Bamana during
Rath Yatra
Rathe tu vamanam drshtiva punarjanmam na vidyate
रथे तू वामनं दृष्टिवा पुनर्जन्मम न विद्यते
Each of the three chariots in the Puri Rath Yatra has
presiding deities.
Bamana is found in the chariot of Jagannath along with other
eight deities, which includes Varaha, Gobardhan, Gopi Krishna, Narasimha, Rama,
Narayan, Hanuman and Rudra.
The nine presiding deities in the chariot of Balabhadra are Ganesha,
Kartikeya, Sarvamangala, Pralambari, Halayudha, Mrutyunjaya, Natamvara,
Mukteswar, and Shesha deva.
The nine presiding deities in the chariot of Subhadra are Chandi,
Chamunda, Ugratara, Vanadurga, Shulidurga, Varahi, Shyamakali, Mangala and
Vimala.
The annual Ratha Yatra held on the second day of waxing
phase of moon in the Ashada month (June – July) is known as Gundicha Yatra,
Ghosha Yatra, Navadina Yatra and Dashavatara Yatra. It is also known by other
names.
The preparation for the annual Rath Yatra begins on the
Basant Panchami day (January – February).
The most important aspect of Puri Rath Yatra is that the
presiding deities come out of the sanctum to take part in the yatra. This does
not happen in most important Hindu temples in the world.