Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 Date: Rituals, Timings, Wishes, And Places To Visit In Puri
Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: The grand Rath Yatra procession, featuring Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra on their chariots, will take place on June 27, 2025.
Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: The Jagannath Rath Yatra, also known as the Puri Yatra or the 'Festival of Chariots', is one of the most important and grand festivals in India. Held every year in Puri, Odisha, the event is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, along with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.
The festival is celebrated on the second day (Dwitiya Tithi) of the bright half of the Asadh month in the Hindu lunar calendar, which usually falls in June or July according to the Gregorian calendar.
The festival began on June 12 this year, with Snana Purnima, a ritual where the deities are bathed in a grand ceremony. After this, the idols go into a rest phase known as Anavasara, which lasts from June 13 to June 26. During this time, the deities are not seen by the public, as they are believed to be recovering from the sacred bath.
As per Drik Panchang, the Dwitiya Tithi begins on June 26 this year at 1:24 PM and ends on June 27 at 11:19 AM. That's why the main Rath Yatra, where Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are taken out in grand chariots, will take place on June 27, 2025.
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: History and Significance
The Jagannath Rath Yatra dates back to somewhere between the 12th and 16th centuries, with many stories about how it began. Some believe it represents Lord Krishna visiting his mother's birthplace, while others say it was started by King Indradyumna, who began the rituals.
Historically, the festival became more popular during the rule of the Gajapati kings of Odisha. Over time, the celebration has grown, but its main purpose has stayed the same—honouring tradition and showing the deep faith of millions. It also reflects the rich culture of Odisha.
At the heart of the festival is the journey of three deities: Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and their sister Subhadra. They are believed to leave the Jagannath Temple in Puri and travel about 3 kilometers to the Gundicha Temple, their aunt's home, for a nine-day stay.
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Rituals
The Jagannath Rath Yatra is marked by a series of meaningful rituals, each filled with deep cultural and spiritual significance.
The celebrations begin with Rath Snana, a special bathing ceremony held a day before the main procession. During this ritual, 108 pots filled with scented water and other sacred items are used to cleanse the deities, preparing them for their journey.
Next comes Rath Pratistha, where the newly built chariots are blessed by priests through sacred chants, making them ready to carry the deities. The highlight of the festival is the Rath Yatra, the grand chariot procession.
Thousands of devotees gather in the streets, singing and pulling the giant chariots as they carry Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra to the Gundicha Temple, where the deities stay for nine days, giving people a chance to receive their blessings.
After the stay, the Bahuda Yatra marks the return of the deities to the Jagannath Temple, with the same joyful and devotional spirit.
The festival ends with Niladri Vijaya, during which the chariots are taken apart, symbolising the completion of the journey and the promise of it happening again the next year.
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: 5 Sacred Places to Visit in Puri
Every year, the Rath Yatra in Puri attracts thousands of devotees from India and around the world. While the grand chariot procession of Lord Jagannath is the main highlight, the city is home to several other important spiritual sites worth visiting during your trip.
Here are five must-visit places:
Sri Jagannath Temple: This 12th-century temple is the heart of Puri and the centre of the Rath Yatra. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Vishnu, it's known for its towering spire, daily rituals, and massive kitchen that serves thousands of pilgrims.
Gundicha Temple: Located about 3 km from the Jagannath Temple, Gundicha is where the deities stay during the Rath Yatra. Known as Lord Jagannath's Garden House, it becomes the Lord's home for seven days during the festival.
Markandeshwar Temple: Near the Jagannath Temple, this shrine is linked to Sage Markandeya. A nearby holy tank is considered spiritually cleansing, making it a peaceful stop for prayer and reflection.
Loknath Temple: This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is known for its hidden Shiva Lingam, which stays submerged and is seen only once a year. It's believed that Lord Jagannath visits this temple secretly before the Yatra begins.
Alarnath Temple: Located in Brahmagiri, about 25 km from Puri, this temple becomes important during the Anavasara period, when Lord Jagannath is not available for public viewing. Devotees come here to worship Lord Vishnu in the form of Alarnath during that time.
Jagannath Rath Yatra Wishes
May Lord Jagannath bless you with peace, prosperity, and endless joy this Rath Yatra. Jai Jagannath!
On this sacred journey of Rath Yatra, may your life be filled with devotion, love, and divine blessings.
Wishing you and your family a blessed and blissful Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025. May the chariots of faith guide your path!
Let the divine energy of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra remove all obstacles and bring new hope into your life.
Celebrate the spiritual grandeur of Rath Yatra with devotion in your heart and grace in your soul. Happy Puri Rath Yatra 2025!
Location :
Puri, India, India
First Published:
June 26, 2025, 08:35 IST
News lifestyle Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 Date: Rituals, Timings, Wishes, And Places To Visit In Puri
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
7 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Rath Yatra: Thousands throng Puri's Gundicha Temple for 'Sandhya Darshan'
Bahuda Yatra, scheduled for Saturday, marks the return journey of the deities to their original abode after the nine-day annual sojourn that began with Rath Yatra on June 27.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Time of India
Vehicular traffic on Puri stampede day was 4 times the volume of Rath Yatra's opening day
1 2 Bhubaneswar: A stampede that claimed lives of three devotees outside Gundicha Temple in Puri on June 29 coincided with an unprecedented surge in vehicular traffic, which reached four times the volume witnessed during the Rath Yatra's opening day on June 27, official records reveal. According to police, at least 25,000 vehicles arrived in the holy city on June 29, compared to roughly 6,000 vehicles on June 27. This massive influx created significant traffic snarls and other logistical challenges for the police. Additional director general (ADG) Dayal Gangwar, who oversees Rath Yatra traffic management, said, "Historically, Rath Yatra's first day typically attracts between 5,000 and 6,000 vehicles, while the Suna Besha ceremony usually draws 15,000-20,000 vehicles. However, this year festival's third-day turnout surpassed all previous records, primarily because it fell on a Sunday." The unprecedented vehicle surge severely strained existing infrastructure as parking facilities were designed to accommodate only 6,000 four-wheelers, based on previous years' requirements. "Upon noticing the extraordinary influx of vehicles and crowds, we immediately alerted Puri police, emphasizing the need for crowd management measures," Gangwar said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The New £23 per Month Private Medical Insurance That's Sweeping the UK Private Medical Plans Get Quote Undo "While extensive traffic congestion and funnelling exercise resulted in considerable waiting time for commuters, we managed to prevent any major law and order disruptions," he added. Ahead of the upcoming Bahuda Yatra on July 5 and Suna Besha on July 6, police have implemented comprehensive traffic management strategies, Gangwar said. "We have taken the support from the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack police commissionerate and Khurda district police. A real-time alert system has been established to facilitate immediate communication between these jurisdictions, enabling swift traffic diversion when necessary to prevent flow of vehicles to Puri. Bulk SMSes will also be sent to devotees about traffic arrangements," Gangwar said. According to DIG Kanwar Vishal Singh, "Traffic advisories for Bahuda and Suna Besha events have been issued. We have emphasized the importance of public compliance with the dynamic mobility plans, which are adjusted based on crowd density. We faced significant challenges during the first and third days of Rath Yatra, where unruly and uncooperative motorists refused to follow diversion instructions, resulting in extended traffic delays and inconvenience to others. "
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
How Puri's Rath Yatra gave us the word ‘Juggernaut'
How Puri's Rath Yatra gave us the word 'Juggernaut' Few festivals in the world combine spectacle, devotion, and scale quite like the Rath Yatra of Puri, a centuries-old celebration held in Odisha, India. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Krishna, this grand procession of towering chariots pulled by thousands of devotees has captivated observers for generations. But beyond its religious significance, the festival left a deep impression on colonial visitors during British rule. In fact, it gave rise to one of English's most powerful metaphors: the word "juggernaut", now commonly used to describe any unstoppable force. What many English speakers don't realise is that the origins of this word lie not in machinery or militarism but in a misinterpretation of a sacred tradition. As colonial officers and missionaries attempted to make sense of what they were witnessing, their writings transformed a devotional celebration into a misunderstood and often sensationalised narrative. This article explores how Rath Yatra inspired the word 'juggernaut', the myths that followed, and the eventual shift in understanding over time. The Rath Yatra: A spectacle of faith The Rath Yatra is one of the oldest and most important Hindu festivals in India, held annually in Puri, Odisha. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Swinford: We Need People to Try Latest High-Tech Hearing Aids - Free Learn More Undo It celebrates the journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple to the nearby Gundicha Temple—their aunt's home. The three wooden deities are placed on massive, ornately decorated chariots and pulled through the city by throngs of worshippers. The chariots themselves are enormous—up to 45 feet high and weighing several tons—and are moved manually using long ropes. The scene is both physically and emotionally intense, as thousands chant, sing, and pull the chariots in unison. The scale and energy of the procession created an atmosphere that overwhelmed many early European witnesses. From devotion to 'Juggernaut': A word is born The English word 'juggernaut' is directly derived from 'Jagannath', the Sanskrit name for the deity. During the British colonial period in India, English-speaking missionaries and officials struggled to interpret the purpose and emotional intensity of the festival. For them, the sheer momentum and power of the chariots, combined with the enthusiastic crowds, symbolised something vast and uncontrollable. This impression eventually took root in the English language. The Oxford English Dictionary notes that the term 'juggernaut' began appearing in English by the late 18th century, but its metaphorical use gained traction in the 19th century, especially after accounts like those of Reverend Claudius Buchanan . From ritual to rumour: The story behind 'juggernaut' One of the most influential figures in shaping Western perceptions of Rath Yatra was Rev. Claudius Buchanan, a Scottish theologian and Anglican missionary. In his widely circulated 1811 work, Christian Researches in Asia, Buchanan described the Rath Yatra as a violent, frenzied event. He claimed that devotees would throw themselves under the wheels of Lord Jagannath's chariot in acts of religious suicide or sacrifice. However, modern historians and scholars have debunked these claims. While isolated incidents may have occurred over centuries, there is no evidence that mass self-sacrifice was ever a standard practice of the festival. Buchanan's account, shaped by missionary zeal and colonial bias, sensationalised the event to promote Christian evangelism and cast Hindu practices in a negative light. These early portrayals, filled with religious and cultural misunderstanding, contributed to the term 'juggernaut' taking on a destructive or overpowering connotation in English. 'Juggernaut' in modern usage: A metaphor detached Today, 'juggernaut' is widely used in English to refer to anything immense, powerful, and seemingly unstoppable—especially in business, politics, sports, or technology. Consider the following examples: 'The tech company became a juggernaut, outcompeting every rival in its path.' 'The political campaign rolled across the country like a juggernaut.' 'The film franchise is a box office juggernaut.' In these contexts, the word has lost its direct connection to the Rath Yatra or Lord Jagannath. Yet, its linguistic roots remain firmly embedded in that very cultural and religious celebration. How the west relearned the truth about Rath Yatra By the late 19th century, some Western writers and publications began to offer more balanced and respectful interpretations of the Rath Yatra. For example, an 1878 article in Harper's Magazine included detailed engravings of the Puri temple and described the festival in its spiritual and cultural context. These accounts moved away from fear-based depictions and sought to understand the event on its terms. In recent years, scholars and cultural commentators have revisited the origins of 'juggernaut' to clarify the misconceptions spread during the colonial era. The modern view acknowledges that while the term has evolved in English, it emerged from a profound misreading of a deeply meaningful religious tradition. The journey from Jagannath to 'juggernaut' is as symbolic as the Rath Yatra itself. It illustrates how language is shaped by perception, power, and history. What began as a religious celebration of community, faith, and tradition was transformed—through colonial misunderstanding—into a metaphor for unstoppable force, often tinged with destruction. Today, while the word 'juggernaut' has taken on a life of its own in the English language, its origins lie in the dusty roads of Puri, where devotees still gather to pull the mighty chariots of Lord Jagannath. Revisiting this linguistic history not only corrects past misconceptions but also highlights the cultural intersections where language and tradition meet—and sometimes clash. Also read | Why a muslim devotee is remembered in Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra
