Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 Begins with Snana Purnima Today; Check Full Schedule, Start and End Dates

Every year in Puri, Odisha, a very special festival takes place to honor Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. In 2025, this event started on June 11 with the Snana Purnima ritual and will continue until July 5 with the famous Jagannath Rath Yatra. This celebration attracts lakhs of people from India and around the world.

What is Snana Purnima?

Snana Purnima is the day when the three deities are brought out for a public bath. This happens once a year at the Jagannath Temple in Puri. They are bathed with 108 pots of sacred water from a golden well inside the temple. This special event is held on a large platform called the Snana Mandap, and it marks the beginning of the Rath Yatra celebrations.

Anavasara

After the Snana Yatra, the deities are believed to fall sick due to the cold water. They are taken inside the temple and kept away from public view for about 15 days. This rest period is called Anavasara. Devotees believe the gods are healing during this time and getting for the Rath Yatra.

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 – Dates and Events

The Rath Yatra is a nine-day long festival full of beautiful rituals. Here is the full calendar of events:

• Snana Purnima: June 12, 2025
• Anavasara (Rest Period): June 13-16, 2025
• Gundicha Marjana (Cleaning of Gundicha Temple): June 26, 2025
• Rath Yatra (Chariot Procession): June 27, 2025
• Hera Panchami: July 1, 2025
• Bahuda Yatra (Return Journey): July 4, 2025
• Suna Besha (Deities in Golden Dress): July 5, 2025
• Niladri Bijay (Return to Main Temple): July 5, 2025

About the Chariots

During the Rath Yatra, the three deities travel in huge wooden chariots on the roads of Puri. Each deity has a different chariot:

• Lord Jagannath rides on a chariot with 18 wheels
• Lord Balabhadra has a chariot with 16 wheels
• Goddess Subhadra rides a chariot with 14 wheels

These chariots are pulled by thousands of devotees, which is considered a great blessing.

Jagannath Yatra, A Festival for Everyone

One of the most special things about this festival is that everyone is allowed to take part. People of all religious, castes and countries come together to pull the chariots and celebrate. It is seen as a time for unity, devotion and joy.

Lakhs of Devotees Join the Celebration

The Rath Yatra is one of the biggest religious gatherings in the world. Lakhs of people come to Puri to watch the beautiful procession. The chariots move along the Grand Road to the Gundicha Temple, which is said to be the house of the deities’ maternal aunt.