Jagannath Rath Yatra is a big and important Hindu festival celebrated every year in Puri, Odisha. In 2025, this grand event will take place on June 27. It is also called the Chariot Festival and is dedicated to Lord Jagannatha, who is considered another form of Lord Vishnu.

This festival takes place during the Hindu month of Ashadha, and every year, lakhs of people from different parts of India and the world come to Puri to witness the celebrations and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannatha. The festival holds deep religious and spiritual importance in Hinduism.

The Rath Yatra is famous for its grand processions where the idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and his sister Subhadra are placed on beautifully decorated chariots and pulled through the streets of Puri by devotees.

Date, time, and significance

This year, the Dwitiya Tithi (second day of the lunar fortnight) will begin on June 26, 2025, at 01:24 PM, and it will end on June 27, 2025, at 11:19 AM.

The day of Rath Yatra is very special for devotees. People believe that Lord Krishna’s presence can be strongly felt in Jagananath temple Puri because, as the belief goes, Shri Hari’s heart beats inside the idol of Lord Jagannatha. This belief draws millions of people to this holy city every year.

During the Rath Yatra, people chant, dance, sing bhajans, and pull the three large chariots of the three deities through the main streets of Puri. This act of pulling the chariots is considered a very lucky and holy act.

Rituals and traditions

  • Building of Chariots:
    Every year, three large wooden chariots are made for Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. These chariots are built using special materials and follow ancient traditional designs.
  • Pahandi:
    On the day of the yatra, the deities are brought out of the temple in a big procession called Pahandi. This is done with music, chants, dancing, and singing by thousands of devotees.
  • Chariot Pulling:
    Devotees pull the chariots with ropes while singing and chanting. It is believed that pulling the chariots brings blessings and good fortune.
  • Stay at Gundicha Temple:
    After the procession, the deities stay in the Gundicha Temple for nine days, and many special rituals are performed during this period.
  • Return Journey (Bahuda Yatra):
    After nine days, the deities are taken back to the Jagannatha Temple in another big procession called Bahuda Yatra.

Mantra to chant during the festival

Hare Ram, Hare Ram, Ram Ram, Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare...!!

This holy chant is often sung by devotees during the festival to express love and devotion to Lord Krishna. Jagannath Rath Yatra is a time of joy, faith, and unity, where people come together to celebrate their devotion to Lord Jagannatha with full heart and soul.

 

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