- By Kashish Rai
- Thu, 26 Jun 2025 08:55 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Puri Rath Yatra is a grand and deeply spiritual festival where Lord Jagannath, along with His siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, leaves His main temple in Puri to visit the Gundicha temple. This journey symbolises the Lord’s love for His devotees, as He steps out of His sanctum to bless everyone, especially those who cannot enter the temple. Pulled by thousands of hands, the decorated chariots move through the city with songs, chants and joy. The Gundicha temple is believed to be His maternal aunt’s home. This year, Jagannath Rath Yatra falls on 27th June 2025.
Let us know how long Lord Jagannath stay at Gundicha temple, leaving the Srimandir during the Rath Yatra festivities and know the significance behind this ritual.
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: How Long Does Lord Jagannath Stay At Gundicha Temple?
Lord Jagannath stays at the Gundicha temple for seven days during the annual Rath Yatra festival. After leaving His main shrine in Puri in a magnificent chariot procession, He arrives at the Gundicha temple, believed to be the home of His maternal aunt. This stay is filled with rituals, devotion, and spiritual joy, symbolising His loving visit to bless all His devotees. The atmosphere remains festive throughout these days as devotees offer prayers, bhajans, and seva. After completing this sacred stay, Lord Jagannath returns to His original temple in a return journey known as Bahuda Yatra. These seven days are considered highly auspicious, as they reflect the Lord’s kindness in stepping out to meet and bless everyone, regardless of their background.
Lord Jagannath’s stay with His siblings at Gundicha temple is a loving pause from routine, filled with devotion, rituals, and joy, symbolising divine grace shared equally with every devotee. (Image Source: The Daily Jagran)
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Significance And Rituals Associated With Lord Jagannath’s Stay At The Gundicha Temple
Lord Jagannath’s stay at the Gundicha temple during the Rath Yatra is considered deeply sacred and symbolic. This journey reflects His love and accessibility, as He steps away from the grand sanctum to be closer to the common people. The temple itself is purified through the Gundicha Marjan ritual before His arrival, highlighting the importance of spiritual and physical cleanliness before welcoming the Lord. His nine-day stay represents a divine break from the regular routine, allowing all to witness His grace and compassion in a more open and joyous setting.
During his time at the Gundicha temple, Lord Jagannath is served with great devotion through daily rituals, known as seva. Various types of bhog are offered, including sweet rice, dal, pitha, and other traditional Odia delicacies. Special pujas and aartis are performed with flowers, lamps, and chants. The temple surroundings remain vibrant with devotional singing and community participation. Devotees believe these days bring divine blessings, healing, and spiritual progress. The entire stay is filled with an atmosphere of love, celebration and a deep personal connection with the ever-compassionate Lord Jagannath.
Jagannath Rath Yatra is more than just a grand procession but a heartfelt celebration of divine love, inclusivity, and grace. Lord Jagannath’s stay at Gundicha temple brings a powerful reminder that the divine comes closer to those who seek with devotion. Through rituals, bhog, seva and songs, devotees experience a deep spiritual connection and joy.