The Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra is the oldest and the most revered of its kind in India. And while the sacred temple has had a long legacy of organizing the Rath Yatra each year for decades and centuries, the newly inaugurated Digha Jagannath Temple will also organize its very first Rath Yatra.
This divine celebration of Lord Jagannath, his older brother Lord Balabhadra, and his sister Goddess Subhadra is scheduled for June 27, 2025.
If you too wish to attend the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Digha Jagannath Temple, here’s all the information you need!
Brief Information Of The Digha Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra
The Rath Yatra in Digha will take place on June 27, 2025 – the same date as the original Rath Yatra in Puri. On this day, many spiritual organizations across India such as the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) will organize its own Rath Yatras in different cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, etc.
The Digha Jagannath Temple was inaugurated on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on April 30, 2025. Although the temple has faced some controversy, the West Bengal Government aims to develop a spiritual center in Digha that resembles the famous Puri temple.
Now that the Rath Yatra in Digha is inching closer, the celebration is said to be attended by the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The Rath Yatra in Digha Jagannath Temple will begin from the Digha Jagannath Temple and will cover a distance of about 1 kilometer (km).
All other ceremonies like the Snana Purnima (ceremonial bath), Anavasara (shutting off of the temple), and Sandhya Darshan (evening viewing ritual) will be similar to those conducted in the original Puri Temple.
How To Reach Digha Jagannath Temple
Air Route
Flying down is the fastest way of reaching the Digha Jagannath Temple. You must fly down to the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, located about 191 km away from the temple.
The airport is well-connected to major cities both within and outside the country, ensuring smooth travel for both domestic as well as international travelers. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Digha, which takes about 4 hours.
Rail Route
Located just 2 to 3 km away from the temple, the Digha Railway Station is the nearest railway station. Even though it is not a major railhead in West Bengal, it enjoys decent rail connectivity. You can easily hire a cab or a bus from the station and it will take only about 10 to 15 minutes to reach the temple.
Road Route
Digha enjoys decent road connectivity with other major cities and towns in West Bengal. Not just that, its proximity to the Odisha border also makes it easy for travelers from Odisha to travel to the town. You can get buses and cabs from major cities in West Bengal or you can choose to self-drive.
The West Bengal government has launched frequent bus services from various districts to provide a convenient and accessible means of transport for a majority of the visitors.
What Makes The Rath Yatra In Digha Jagannath Temple Different?
History And Footfall
You must be wondering what it is that makes the Rath Yatra in Digha Jagannath Temple if it is the exact replica of the Puri Jagannath Temple. Well, to begin with, a key difference is that the Digha Jagannath Temple is fairly new, hardly a few months old.
Compare that to the 12th-century marvel that the Puri Jagannath Temple is!
The latter has been organizing the Rath Yatra for decades and centuries now, whereas the Rath Yatra in Digha will be held for the first time ever.
The two celebrations will attract significantly different numbers of attendees. The Puri Rath Yatra is expected to draw between 1.5 and 2.5 million devotees, based on previous estimates.
In contrast, the inaugural Rath Yatra in Digha will have a much smaller turnout. So far, the temple has welcomed approximately 50,000 visitors, with numbers rising particularly on weekends.
Route Distance
Another major difference lies in the Rath Yatra route. The Puri celebration will see devotees pull massive chariots over a 3 km-long stretch from the main temple to the Gundicha temple. On the other hand, the Digha celebration will cover a distance of only 1 km, starting from the main temple.
Rebuilding The Chariots
The original Rath Yatra of Puri is particularly famous for its elaborately decorated chariots that are rebuilt each year from scratch. While this is a custom that has been followed religiously in the temple, the Digha Jagannath Temple hasn’t made it official whether they’ll follow this custom the next year.
Entry Restrictions
The original Puri temple in Odisha is known for allowing entry only to practicing Hindus, barring visitors belonging to any other religion. While the exact reason for the same can’t be determined, the Digha Jagannath Temple has taken a more liberal approach. The temple allows entry to everyone regardless of their religion.
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Best Time To Visit Digha Jagannath Temple
Months between October and February are ideal for visiting the Digha Jagannath Temple. This is because temperatures remain stable and the weather is quite pleasant during these months.
As the weather is cool and dry, it also makes for the perfect season to enjoy sightseeing, beach activities, and plenty of other leisure activities.
We recommend avoiding the summer months of March to May. Daytime temperatures rise up dramatically and the humid weather can make you more uncomfortable.
On the other hand, the months between June and September are somewhat manageable. While heavy rains can disrupt your travel plans, especially between July and September, June makes for a great month to visit if you wish to attend the Rath Yatra here.
Digha Jagannath Temple Guidelines: Timings, Dress Code, And More
Timings Of The Digha Jagannath Temple
- Opening Hours: 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM; 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM
- Aarti Timings: Morning Aarti around 6:30 AM; Evening Aarti around 6:30 PM
- Note that the temple is closed between 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM for general maintenance and rituals.
Dress Code Inside The Digha Jagannath Temple
- Encouraged: Traditional attire such as saree, salwar-kameez, short kurtis and modest western attire like shirts and pants,
- Not Allowed or Prohibited: Short skirts, ripped jeans, cropped tops, and other revealing clothes.
Restrictions On Electronic Devices And Other Items
- Footwear is strictly prohibited inside the temple building. Remove your footwear outside and keep it properly in designated areas.
- Mobile phones and camera equipment are not allowed inside the temple. Photography and videography is strictly prohibited inside the temple as well.
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Summing Up
The maiden Rath Yatra in Digha Jagannath Temple is about to take place on June 27, promising to be a grand affair for its devotees.
The temple will provide a less-crowded alternative to those wishing to attend the Puri Rath Yatra but are not comfortable with such a large volume of people.
Which one of the two Rath Yatras do you wish to attend?
FAQs
Why Is Jagannath Mandir In Digha?
The Digha Jagannath Temple has been constructed to pay homage to the original temple in Puri, Odisha.
What Is The Speciality Of Digha?
Situated on the coast of Bay of Bengal, Digha is a small coastal town known for its pristine beaches, picturesque landscapes, diverse marine life, and laidback life.
What Are The Three Rath Names?
The rath of Lord Jagannath is known by the name of Nandighosh, whereas the raths of Balabhadra and Subhadra are known by the names of Taladhwaja and Darpadalana.
