Puri Rath Yatra 2025: Key Dates, Time, Rituals, Significance And All You Need To Know

The Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is also known as Jagannath Puri Yatra, Car Festival, or Shree Gundicha Yatra. 

The festival is held annually in Puri, Odisha, marking the annual sojourn of Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, his older brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 Jagannath Rath Yatra:

Every year, the Rath Yatra is held on the 'Dwitiya Tithi' (second day) of the 'Shukla Paksha' in the month of 'Ashadha', as per the Hindu calendar. Usually, this corresponds to June or July in the Gregorian calendar.

This year, the festival started with the 'Snana Purnima' or ceremonial bathing of deities on June 12. It was followed by a seclusion period called 'Anavasara' from June 13 to June 26. During this period, the public is not allowed to see the deities, though the temple in Puri remains open for all.

As per the 'Drik Panchang', in 2025, the 'Dwitiya Tithi' begins at 1:24 p.m. on June 26 and ends at 11:19 a.m on June 27. This year the Jagannath Rath Yatra will be held on Friday, June 27. 

Here’s a breakdown of the schedule for Rath Yatra 2025:

• Snana Purnima: June 12

• Anavasara: June 13 to June 26

• Netrotsava or Nava Yauvan Darshan: June 26

• Rath Yatra: June 27

• Hera Panchami: July 1

• Bahuda Yatra: July 4

• Suna Besha: July 5

• Niladri Bijay: July 5

The festival is a celebration of Lord Jagannath’s journey to Gundicha Temple, which is his aunt’s temple. He is accompanied by Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. It symbolises the holy trinity’s annual sojourn to their birthplace.

The annual festival concludes with 'Niladri Bijay', when the three deities return to the Shree Mandir in Puri. The 'Bahuda Yatra' marks the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.    

During a ritual called 'Chhera Pahanra' on the Rath Yatra day, the titular king of Puri sweeps the chariots of the deities. This ritual symbolises that all are equal before the Lord. As part of the annual procession, devotees pull the wooden chariots from Shree Mandir to Gundicha Temple. According to mythology, even a glimpse of the deities on the chariots is believed to help devotees attain salvation.