Jagannath Rath Yatra, also called the Chariot Festival or Shree Gundicha Yatra, is a very important Hindu festival celebrated every year in Odisha. This festival is filled with joy, devotion and tradition. It marks the journey of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple in Puri to the Gundicha Temple.
Rath Yatra 2025: Date and Timings
In 2025, Jagannath Rath Yatra is celebrated today; Friday, June 27. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival falls on Dwitiya Tithi of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Ashadha month.
- Dwtitiya Tithi begins: June 27, 2025, at 1:24 PM
- Dwitiya Tithi Ends: June 27, 2025, at 11:19 PM
Nine-Day Festival Schedule
The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a nine-day celebration filled with many rituals. Here is the schedule:
- Day 1: Rath Yatra Begins
- Day 2: Arrival at Gundicha Temple
- Day 3: The Lords Rest at Gundicha
- Day 4: Hera Panchami
- Day 5: Daily Rituals and Devotional Songs
- Day 6: Dakshina Moda
- Day 7: Return Yatra Begins
- Day 8: Suna Besha
- Day 9: Niladri Bije
ISKCON Rath Yatra in Prayagraj
The ISKCON Rath Yatra in Prayagraj will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2025. The chariot procession will begin at 4:00 PM from Hira Halwai Crossing and pass through Subhash Chauraha and Hanuman Mandir, ending at KP Ground.
Significance of Rath Yatra
The Rath Yatra is very special because it shows the love and devotion of people toward Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. On this day, the three deities come out of the temple and travel in grand, colorful chariots to the Gundicha Temple. It allows devotees, even those who cannot enter the temple, to see and worship the gods. The yatra also reminds everyone of Lord Krishna’s journey to his maternal home, spreading joy, unity and spiritual blessings.
Rituals of the Rath Yatra
Many spiritual rituals are performed during this festival:
- Rath Snana: The deities are bathed with 108 pots of holy water.
- Rath Pratistha: The new wooden chariots are blessed by priests using Vedic mantras.
- Main Rath Yatra: Thousands of people come together to pull the three chariots on a 3-kilometre journey to the Gundicha Temple.
- Bahuda Yatra: After nine days, the deities return to the Jagannath Temple.
- Niladri Bijaya: The festival ends with this ritual when the chariots are taken apart, showing the end of the divine journey.
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