A spiritual aura runs high in Odisha, with millions gearing up for Rath Yatra in 2025, an event otherwise called the renowned Shree Gundicha Yatra or the festival of the chariots of Jagannath. The festival is set for Friday, the 27th of June, tied down in Hindu mythology and tradition, and takes place on Dwitiya Tithi, i.e., the second day of the bright lunar fortnight when the waning phase of the moon is said to increase devotion.
According to Drik Panchang, the subtleties of this sacred calendar will begin for Dwitiya Tithi at 1:24 PM on June 26th and end at 11:19 AM on June 27th, completing the setting of a festival about the chariot journey from Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple.
Nine-Day Rabbi Yatra Festival Timeline
This year, Rath Yatra celebration spans nine days, weaving together rituals, festivities, and profound spiritual significance:
| Occasion | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Anavasara | June 13–26 | Deities kept away from public view, undergoing rest. |
| Gundicha Marjana | June 26 | Cleaning ceremony of Gundicha Temple. |
| Rath Yatra | June 27 | Grand procession of the chariots to Gundicha Temple. |
| Hera Panchami | July 1 | Goddess Lakshmi’s symbolic journey to find Jagannath. |
| Bahuda Yatra | July 4 | Return of deities to Jagannath Temple. |
| Suna Besha | July 5 | Deities adorned with gold ornaments. |
| Niladri Bijay | July 5 | Final day of festival, chariots dismantled. |
ISKCON Rath Yatra in Prayagraj on June 29
Devotees outside Odisha will also witness vibrant Rath Yatra celebrations. ISKCON Prayagraj has scheduled its procession on Sunday, June 29, starting with a chariot pull at 4:00 PM. The route will go from Hira Halwai Crossing, through Subhash Chauraha and Hanuman Mandir, concluding at KP Ground. Achyuta Mohan Das, ISKCON’s local president, says the Sunday timing is meant to draw larger crowds and make spiritual blessings widely accessible.
Why Rath Yatra Holds Deep Meaning
The festival’s inception is rooted in history. Some regard it as Lord Krishna’s visit to his mother’s home; others believe it is due to King Indradyumna’s devotion. The festival was institutionalized during ancient times by the Gajapati dynasty and eventually revealed Odisha’s cultural legacy.
The rites include rituals known as Rath Snana, where priests bathe a total of 108 pots of holy water over the deities. The ritual of Rath Pratistha has the newly constructed wooden chariots, the main event is the Rath Yatra where hundreds of thousands of devotees drag three wooden chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra 3 km to the Gundicha Temple.
Hera Panchami signifies the happiness of the procession with a ceremonial chariot for Goddess Lakshmi as she pursues the three deities in excitement. Bahuda Yatra means reverse the journey; it signifies the deity siblings are heading back home. The cycle concludes with the Niladri Bijay when the three wooden chariots are dismantled as a symbol of completion within the festival, and return the next year for another the same.
A Culmination of Faith and Culture
Rath Yatra 2025 is more than just a religious festival; it’s a testament to faith, community, and joy. The festival reflects India’s spiritual diversity travel the distance between Puri’s significant temples or venture the streets of Prayagraj, and it is never far from being front and center in the cultural identity of India. Sacred rituals, antiquated mythology, and sports teams’ worth of participants make this event a spectacle of exuberance, and an example of Int cultures’ collective heritage.
When devotees gather to pull the chariots, design rangolis, distribute prasad, or say prayers, Rath Yatra is perched atop the mountain of spiritual renewal, community, and hope. Whether it is in Puri, or Prayagraj, the festival will once be able to sear hearts together to God, and create a collective sense of wonder.
