Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra or simply Jagannath Yatra is one of the largest religious celebrations in India celebrated in Puri, Odisha.
In 2025, the Jagannath Yatra will take place from June 27 to July 5. During this 9-day festival, several rituals will take place in the temple premises of Lord Jagannath, attracting millions of devotees from all over the world.
Rath Yatra 2025: Significance, Rituals, And More
Significance Of Rath Yatra
This Rath Yatra is a religious celebration that involves rituals, ceremonies, and processions that stretch for days.
The three primary deities of the Puri Jagannath Temple – Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balaram/Balabhadra, and his sister Lord Subhadra are taken out in large ceremonious processions from the temple to the Gundicha Temple.
According to Hindu mythology, the latter is considered to be Lord Jagannath’s birthplace and where his aunt resided.
The raths or chariots on which the three deities are taken out for a procession are adorned with flowers, decorations, and elaborate carvings that are truly breathtaking.
Thousands of devotees pull these chariots as it is believed to be a holy ritual one must partake in. In fact, many also believe that watching this procession cleanses one off their sins and grants them freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
Why The Festival Is Celebrated
Lord Jagannath is one of the many forms of Lord Vishnu according to Hindu mythology. The Gundicha Temple is believed to be symbolic of Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
So, the festival is celebrated to mark Lord Jagannath’s (Lord Vishnu) journey of returning to his birthplace.
Not just that, but the journey is also believed to be that from the heavens (temple) to the mortal world (the streets). Lord Jagannath and his siblings, during the Puri Rath Yatra, are said to descend from heaven to the streets to bless their devotees.
As devotees unite and come together to pull the chariots of the three prominent deities, the festival is also believed to be a celebration of the unity of mankind.
The festival sees millions of people work unconditionally to serve the deities – be it pulling the chariots, cleaning the temple premises, and many other tasks.
Puri Rath Yatra Rituals 2025
Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya is considered to be one of the most sacred days according to Hindu mythology. So, in accordance with it, the Rath Yatra preparations formally begin.
Akshaya Tritiya commences the construction of the grand chariots – in fact, it is on this day that the first logs of wood are brought in to make the chariots for Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
Date: April 30, 2025
Snana Purnima
On this day, the deities are taken out of the temple and are given a ceremonial bath called ‘Snana’ with 108 pots of sacred water.
After this ceremony, they are dressed in ‘Gaja Besha’, elephant-like special costumes. These costumes are to show reverence to the lore of how Lord Jagannath rescued the elephant king Gajendra from an alligator. Devotees can watch the entirety of the Snana Purnima Ceremony.
Date: June 11, 2025
Anavasara
Following the ritual of bathing, the deities are kept in complete isolation for the next 15 days. It is believed that the deities ‘catch a cold’ during this period, which is why they need ‘rest’ for 15 days. The temple is closed to the public during the Anavasara period.
Date: June 12 to June 26, 2025
Gundicha Marjana
Just a day before the actual Rath Yatra ceremony, the Gundicha Temple is cleaned and decorated for the deities to occupy. This ceremony is not only about cleaning the temple but also symbolizes cleansing one’s heart to receive divine blessings.
Date: June 26, 2025
Rath Yatra
On this day, deities are assembled on their chariots and taken out in a big procession. Thousands of devotees unite to pull the chariots using their brute force along the 3-kilometer-road leading to the Gundicha Temple.
This act of pulling the holy chariots is considered to cleanse sins off and bring prosperity to the lives of those partaking in the ceremony.
As the deities are pulled towards the Gundicha Temple, the King of Puri (Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deba currently) sweeps the chariot platforms with a golden broom in a ritual known as the ‘Chhera Panhara’.
This ritual symbolizes that for God, everyone is equal – be it the one pulling the chariot or the King of Puri himself!
Date: 27 June, 2025
Hera Panchami
On the fifth day (Panchami) of the deities’ stay at the Gundicha Temple, it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Jagannath, visits Earth in search of the deity. The day is celebrated as a divine celebration of the union between Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Jagannath.
Date: July 1, 2025
Sandhya Darshan
The term ‘Sandhya Darshan’ literally translates to ‘evening viewing ritual’. Viewing the deities at the Gundicha Temple in the evening is believed to be particularly auspicious.
In fact, local legends say that viewing the deities here equals to about 10 years worth of viewing the deities in the main temple!
Date: July 3, 2025
Bahuda Yatra
After a considerable stay at the Gundicha Temple, the deities are taken back to the main Puri Jagannath Temple in a ceremony known as Bahuda Yatra.
These chariots, on their way to the main temple, are halted briefly at the Mausi Maa Temple. This is where they receive the auspicious ‘Poda Pitha’, a special baked cake made using fermented rice, grated jaggery, black gram, and coconut.
Date: July 5, 2025
Suna Besha
Also known as the Rajarajeswara Besha, the ritual involves decorating the deities with gold ornaments. It attracts millions of devotees as they flock to see the deities adorned in elaborate gold.
These are some of the most refined gold ornaments and also include the finest gemstones. Not just ornaments, but the deities are also adorned with their special weapons, including Lord Jagannath’s gold Sudarshan Chakra (disc) and silver Shankha (conch) and Lord Balabhadra’s plough and mace, both made of gold.
Date: July 6, 2025
Adhara Pana
Adhara Pana is a holy drink made from milk, milk solids, sugar, and spices, and is offered to the three prominent deities on their chariot. This drink is prepared in large earthen pots and is served to all deities.
After the drink is completely served, the pots are broken, symbolizing the destruction of ego and egoistic attachments to the material world.
Date: July 7, 2025
Niladri Bijoy
This is the last ceremony in the Puri Jagannath Yatra and marks the installation of the deities in the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) of the main Jagannath Temple. It is attended in large numbers by devotees as they witness the return of the deities to their temple.
Date: July 8, 2025
Summing Up
The Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 will definitely be larger and grander than its predecessors. While the main ‘yatra’ will take place on June 27, 2025, there will be plenty of rituals and ceremonies after the main ceremony.
So, if you too are a spiritual person and would love to participate in one of India’s largest religious gatherings, this is your cue to do so!
FAQs
In Which Month Jagannath Puri Is Closed?
The Jagannath Puri Temple is closed during the Anavasara ceremony – this is when the temple deities are believed to ‘catch a cold’. This ceremony usually occurs in June or July and lasts for 15 days.
When Not To Visit Jagannath Puri?
We recommend avoiding visiting Jagannath Puri in the peak summer months of March to May/June. This is when daytime temperatures and humidity are quite high, making it quite an unpleasant experience for visitors.
Are Jeans Allowed In Puri Temple?
No, the Jagannath Puri Temple follows a strict dress code that only allows ‘decent clothes’. We recommend avoiding western clothes like jeans (both normal and ripped), cropped tops, short dresses, and other revealing clothes and opting for more traditional clothing.
