Rath Yatra in 2025

Ratha Yatra, also known as the Chariot festival, falls either in June or in July each year. This festival attracts foreigners as well since it is globally acclaimed. Primarily, the festival of Ratha Yatra denotes equivalence and integration. It is a good opportunity for people to witness the divine being. Three divinities are worshipped on the festival day. They include Lord Balabhadra, who is the elder brother of Lord Jagannath; Subhadra, who is the sister of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra; and Lord Jagannath.

The divinities will be taken to the streets of the city of Puri so everybody can seek blessings. Each divinity has a chariot. While the chariot of Lord Balabhadra has 16 wheels, the chariot of Lord Jagannath has 18 wheels. Likewise, the chariot of Subhadra has 14 wheels. Jagannath Temple is believed to be the holiest temple in the country.

Why do People Celebrate Ratha Yatra?

Ratha Yatra is organised in Puri, which is a prime city in Odisha. Devotees entrust that Lord Krishna or Lord Jagannath desires to visit Mathura, which is his birthplace. They organise this festival in order to fulfil his desire yearly. Devotees also believe that they are freed from the phase of birth and death if they take devotedly take part in this festival. Muslims also celebrate the festival.

How is Rath Yatra Festival Celebrated?

Devotees carry the idols of Lord Krishna, Lord Balabhadra and Subhadra to Gundicha Temple from Jagannath Temple. The idols are then positioned in chariots. Priests perform Snana Purnima, which is a custom wherein three idols are bathed with water (109 buckets). The bathed idols will be placed in isolation until the procession day. This event is called Ansara. The Odisha's royal successor performs the ceremonial of Chera Pahara. The king carries the divinities and positions them on chariots during the event of Chera Pahara.

History of Rath Yatra: Origins and Cultural Significance

Rath Yatra, or the "Festival of Chariots," is an important celebration in Puri, Odisha. It started in the 12th century and is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra.

The festival is about the journey of these deities from their temple to another temple, symbolizing their visit to their aunt's house. It became a celebration where people from all backgrounds come together to show their devotion. The festival is about unity, love for the gods, and cultural pride.

The Role of Lord Jagannath in Rath Yatra

Lord Jagannath is the main focus of Rath Yatra. He is a form of Lord Vishnu. The idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are placed on chariots and pulled by thousands of people during the festival.

The idol of Lord Jagannath is made of wood and has large eyes, symbolizing that he sees everything. Pulling the chariot is believed to bring blessings and spiritual peace.

Key Rituals During Rath Yatra

Rath Yatra is celebrated with several rituals, each full of meaning. Here are the key rituals:

Chhera Pahara:

This is when the King of Puri or a representative sweeps the ground in front of the chariots with a golden broom. This act purifies the path for the deities and shows humility and service.

Pulling the Chariots:

Thousands of people pull the chariots, chanting prayers and songs. This is a way for devotees to show their devotion and feel closer to the Lord. The act of pulling the chariots is also believed to cleanse the soul.

Snana Purnima:

This is the first ritual of Rath Yatra. The idols of Lord Jagannath and his siblings are bathed with holy water. This is done to purify the idols before the journey begins.

Chariot Decoration:

The chariots are decorated with beautiful colors, flowers, and cloth. Each chariot represents the deity it carries and is made to look as grand as possible.

Prayers at Gundicha Temple:

Once the chariots reach the Gundicha Temple, prayers and rituals are offered to the deities. This marks the arrival of Lord Jagannath and his siblings at their aunt’s house.

Return Journey (Bahuda Yatra):

After staying a few days at the Gundicha Temple, the deities return to the Jagannath Temple in what’s called the Bahuda Yatra. This marks the end of the journey and symbolizes the deities returning home after their visit.

These rituals make Rath Yatra a spiritually significant and culturally vibrant event that brings people together to celebrate with devotion.

Places to Visit in Puri During Rath Yatra

The city of Puri offers several tourist points for visitors but the prime attractions include temples and beaches. If you are planning to visit the city during the festival of Ratha Yatra, consider visiting Gundicha Temple, Puri Beach, Chilika Lake, Pipili Village, Konark Temple, Sakshigopal Temple, Raghurajpur Artist Village etc.

Ways to Reach Puri

1. By road: Puri is a well-connected city by roads. The special bus service is offered during the festival. People can take buses to Puri from Cuttack and Bhubaneswar at a frequency of 10-15 minutes. The direct bus facility is provided from Visakhapatnam and Kolkata. Visitors can also consider renting a taxi.

1. By Air: Biju Patnaik Airport is the nearest airport to the city of Puri. The distance between the city and the airport is 60 km. A taxi can be hired to travel this distance. From this airport, you can travel to various cities, including Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam etc.

1. By Rail: Puri can be connected via direct expresses from other Indian cities, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Okha etc.

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