Read this guide to know about Puri Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra 2025 – dates, timings, history, rituals, live coverage, & how to reach.
The Puri Jagannath Temple is a popular Hindu temple that was built in the 12th century in Odisha, India. It is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, who is a form of Lord Krishna.
The temple is famous for its grand ‘Rath Yatra’ or ‘Chariot’ festival. Every year, millions of devotees across the globe take part in this auspicious festival to see Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra ride on their huge chariots.
The Puri Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra will give you a special spiritual experience by bringing together tradition, culture, and celebration in a beautiful way. Read this guide if you are planning to attend the Puri Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra 2025.
In this guide, you will get to know all the details about the Jagannath Puri live Rath Yatra 2025. It includes Rath Yatra date, time, rituals, history, and travel tips.
About Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra
Rath Yatra is a chariot festival held every year in Puri, Odisha. It symbolizes Lord Jagannath’s yearly visit to his aunt’s house, the Gundicha Temple. During this festival, Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, is taken in a grand procession. They travel in huge chariots from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
Rath Yatra, also called Navadina Yatra, Gudicha Yatra, or Dasavatara Yatra, is one of the largest and most ancient festivals celebrated in India. As per the Oriya calendar, this grand festival takes place on the Dwitiya Tithi, the second lunar day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha. This usually falls in June or July.
History of Puri Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra
The Rath Yatra festival originated in the 12th century when King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, the ruler of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, constructed the Puri Jagannath Temple.
According to the Puranas, the king was instructed by Lord Jagannath himself to construct the temple and organize the Rath Yatra festival. Since then, the festival has been an important part of the temple’s traditions.
Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra Rituals and Significance
The Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra is not just a journey of deities. It is a 9-day celebration full of spiritual meaning and colorful traditions. These are the key rituals and highlights of the grand festival
- Chhera Pahara: Before Sunrise, the Gajapati King of Puri sweeps the chariot area with a golden broom. This shows that everyone is equal before God.
- Building the Chariots: Skilled craftsmen build large wooden chariots for Lord Jagannath (Nandighosha), Lord Balabhadra (Taladhwaja), and Goddess Subhadra (Darpadalana) using neem and other sacred woods.
- Snana Purnima: The deities receive a holy bath with 108 pots of water. After that, they rest in isolation (Anavasara) for 15 days.
- Gundicha Marjana: Priests clean the Gundicha Temple to welcome the deities.
- Rath Yatra: It is the main event. The deities ride on their chariots to Gundicha Temple along the Grand Road (Bada Danda). The ceremonial procession is called ‘Pahandi’. Devotees pull the chariots for blessings.
- Hera Panchami: A symbolic and emotional moment when Goddess Lakshmi visits the Gundicha Temple to express her longing for Lord Jagannath.
- Bahuda Yatra: The deities begin their return journey to the Jagannath Temple. This marks the second major procession of the festival.
- Suna Besha: The deities wear gold in front of the Lions Gate on the Sukla Ekadasi tithi
- Adhara Pana: The priests offer a special type of sweet drink to the deities on the chariots.
- Niladri Bije: On the final day, the deities go back to their temple.
Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra Date and Timing
Puri Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra 2025 starts on June 27, 2025, and ends on July 5, 2025. The festival lasts for nine days. During this time, many important rituals will be performed. The festival ends with the return of the deities to the Jagannath Temple.
Find here the Jagannath Rath Yatra date
- Snana Purnima: June 11, 2025
- Anavasara: June 12 – 25, 2025
- Dwitiya Tithi Begins: 1:24 PM on June 26
- Dwitiya Tithi Ends: 11:19 AM on June 27
- Gundicha Marjana: June 26, 2025
- Rath Yatra: June 27, 2025
- Hera Panchami: July 1, 2025
- Sandhya Darshan: July 4, 2025
- Bahuda Yatra: July 5, 2025
- Suna Besha: July 6, 2025
- Adhara Pana: July 7, 2025
- Niladri Bijay: July 8, 2025
Jagannath Puri Live Rath Yatra 2025
If you cannot attend the festival in person, you can watch the Jagannath Puri Live Rath Yatra 2025 rituals and ceremonies from the comfort of your home. Several platforms, including television channels and online streaming services, broadcast Rath Yatra 2025 live. You can also view the rituals and events on pilgrimage websites or YouTube channels affiliated with the Jagannath Temple.
How to Reach Puri Jagannath Temple
Would you wish to reach Puri for the Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra 2025? If yes, then you can fly into Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar and then hire a taxi or board a bus to reach the city.
Alternatively, you can take a train to Puri Railway Station, which connects to major cities. You can also book buses operated by OSRTC and private services from Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and other major cities.
Special accommodation and flight booking packages will be available during the Yatra season.
With the help of this guide, you can plan your travel to the Puri Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra 2025. In case it is challenging for you to plan your travel, connect with us.
We will help you create a customized itinerary for the Puri Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra, covering exciting activities like temple visits, Rath Yatra procession, and cultural experiences, so you can have an unforgettable spiritual journey.
