- By Kashish Rai
- Thu, 26 Jun 2025 10:08 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Jagannath Rath Yatra is a grand and deeply spiritual festival that celebrates the divine journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, as they travel from their temple in Puri to the Gundicha Temple. Devotees gather in huge numbers to pull the massive, beautifully decorated chariots through the streets, singing and dancing with devotion. The event symbolises unity, devotion, and the joy of being part of something greater than oneself. It’s a time when divine grace feels accessible to all, regardless of background, making the Rath Yatra a truly heartwarming and inclusive spiritual celebration in Hinduism. This year, the Rath Yatra in Puri is scheduled to begin on 27th June 2025.
Check out all the significant information regarding the start and end date, schedule, significance and rituals associated with this grand chariot festival below:
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Start And End Date
- Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 Start Date: 27th June 2025, Friday
- Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 End Date: 5th July, 2025, Saturday
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Schedule
- Anavasara ends – 26 June 2025 (Thursday): The 15‑day period of rest ends.
- Gundicha Marjana – 26 June 2025 (Thursday): Temple cleaning ritual before the procession begins.
- Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival Day) – 27 June 2025 (Friday): Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra & Subhadra travel to Gundicha Temple on their chariots.
- Hera Panchami – 1 July 2025 (Tuesday): Goddess Lakshmi symbolically visits Gundicha Temple.
- Bahuda Yatra (Return) – 4 July 2025 (Friday): The return journey to the Jagannath Temple begins.
- Suna Besha And Niladri Bijay – 5 July 2025 (Saturday): The deities are adorned in gold and return to the main temple.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a grand chariot festival celebrated annually in Puri, marking the visit of Lord Jagannath to the Gundicha Temple along with his siblings Balbhadra and Devi Subhadra. (Image Source: The Daily Jagran)
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Significance
The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a grand and deeply revered Hindu festival that traces its roots back over a thousand years, celebrated with immense devotion in Puri, Odisha. The festival centres around Lord Jagannath, believed to be a form of Lord Vishnu or Krishna, and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. According to legend, Lord Jagannath once expressed his wish to visit his birthplace, the Gundicha Temple.
Honouring this divine desire, the Rath Yatra was born, where the deities are placed on magnificent, towering chariots and taken in a grand procession through the streets of Puri. Devotees from across India and around the world gather to pull the sacred chariots, considering it an act of great spiritual merit.
Historically, the festival has been a powerful symbol of unity and inclusiveness, drawing kings and commoners alike. The Jagannath Temple itself holds immense spiritual and architectural significance and is one of the four sacred Char Dhams in Hinduism. The Rath Yatra reflects the belief that divinity is not confined to temples alone—it moves among the people, blessing everyone equally.
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Rituals
The rituals of the Jagannath Rath Yatra begin well before the chariots hit the streets. Preparations start with the construction of the massive wooden chariots, each crafted anew every year using sacred neem wood. These intricately designed structures are dedicated individually to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. A special ceremony known as Gundicha Marjana is held, where devotees lovingly clean the Gundicha Temple—believed to be the deities' maternal home—symbolising spiritual purification. On the day of the yatra, the deities are ceremoniously brought out of the main temple in a grand procession called Pahandi, accompanied by chants, music, and dancing crowds.
One of the most significant rituals is the Chhera Pahanra, where the Gajapati King of Puri sweeps the chariots with a golden broom—an act of deep humility and devotion, showing that everyone is equal before God. Devotees from all walks of life then gather to pull the chariots with thick ropes, believing it brings immense spiritual merit. Over the following days, the deities stay at the Gundicha Temple, returning later during Bahuda Yatra. Each ritual, performed with devotion and joy, reflects the belief that divinity walks with the people, in celebration and grace.