Ratha Yatra 2025 Date: Rituals, and Significance of Lord Jagannath’s Grand Chariot Festival in Puri

Ratha Yatra 2025 Date: Rituals, and Significance of Lord Jagannath’s Grand Chariot Festival in Puri (image: PTI)

Ratha Yatra 2025: The much-awaited Ratha Yatra 2025 will be celebrated on Friday, June 27, with great devotion and enthusiasm across India, especially in Puri, Odisha, where the festival draws lakhs of devotees every year. The auspicious Dwitiya Tithi begins at 1:24 PM on June 26 and ends at 11:19 AM on June 27, marking the key timing for the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra.

This sacred event is one of the largest Hindu festivals and is organized every year at the Shri Jagannatha Temple in Puri. As per the Hindu lunar calendar, Ratha Yatra is observed on Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha during the month of Ashada—usually falling in June or July in the Gregorian calendar.

Significance of Ratha Yatra Festival

Lord Jagannath, a revered form of Lord Vishnu, is primarily worshipped in Puri and is considered the Lord of the Universe. He is worshipped along with his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra. The Jagannatha Temple in Puri is also one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, making it a vital spiritual destination for Hindus.

Ratha Yatra, also called the Car Festival, commemorates the annual journey of the deities to the Gundicha Temple, which was built by Queen Gundicha, the wife of King Indradyumna, who originally built the Jagannath temple.

Pre-Festival Rituals: Gundicha Marjana and Snana Yatra

A day before the Rath Yatra, devotees perform a sacred cleaning ritual known as Gundicha Marjana, preparing the temple for the Lord’s arrival. Another major ritual is the Snana Yatra, a grand ceremonial bath given to the deities approximately 18 days before Ratha Yatra on Jyeshtha Purnima.

Hera Panchami

Four days after Ratha Yatra, Hera Panchami is celebrated. On this day, Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Lord Jagannath, visits Gundicha temple searching for him. This event signifies divine emotions and the connection between the deities.

Return Journey: Bahuda Yatra

After spending eight days at the Gundicha Temple, the deities return to the main temple. This day is celebrated as Bahuda Yatra, which usually falls on Dashami Tithi. On their way back, the chariots stop briefly at the Mausi Maa Temple, dedicated to Goddess Ardhashini. The return also coincides with Devshayani Ekadashi, when Lord Jagannath is believed to enter a symbolic four-month sleep, marking the beginning of Chaturmas.

The Jagannath Ratha Yatra is not just a festival; it’s a spiritual journey. It offers devotees a chance to pull the divine chariots, which is considered a powerful act of service (seva). The festival is a vibrant expression of Vaishnavism, devotion, tradition, and community participation. Even foreign visitors refer to it as the Puri Car Festival, and it continues to captivate pilgrims and tourists alike with its massive scale and spiritual energy.