Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Date, Rituals, Significance, Timings and Everything You Need to Know

Jagannath Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival or Shree Gundicha Yatra, is one of the most important Hindu festivals in India. Celebrated every year in Puri, Odisha, the festival marks the annual journey of Lord Jagannath along with his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, in grand wooden chariots.

This year, the Rath Yatra will begin on Friday, June 27, 2025, on the Dwitiya Tithi (second day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha, as per the Hindu calendar. This time is considered spiritually significant as it coincides with the waxing phase of the moon.

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Significance

According to the Skanda Purana, the tradition of Rath Yatra began when Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath, wished to see the city of Puri. Fulfilling her desire, Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra took her in a chariot to their aunt’s house in Gundicha. They stayed there for seven days, and this journey became the origin of the Rath Yatra tradition.

It is believed that pulling the chariot of Lord Jagannath during this festival brings blessings and leads to moksha (salvation).

Rath Yatra 2025: Festival Dates, Tithis, Timings

Rituals and Celebrations

The Rath Yatra starts with a special ritual called Chhera Pahara, in which the Gajapati Maharaja of Odisha ceremonially sweeps the chariots with a golden broom, an age-old tradition. After this, the journey from the Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple begins as thousands of devotees pull the giant chariots.

On July 1, the ritual of Hera Panchami will take place. On July 4, the return journey of the deities, called Bahuda Yatra, will be held. The Yatra concludes on July 5, when Lord Jagannath returns to the main temple in Puri, and the ritual of Niladri Bijay is performed.

Full Festival Schedule (Nine Days)

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 promises nine days of divine celebration, rituals, and devotion. As the grand chariots roll through the streets of Puri, devotees from around the world will gather to witness this sacred journey and seek blessings from Lord Jagannath.