Devotion meets tradition as Lord Jagannath steps out of the sanctum to bless devotees during the iconic Rath Yatra procession in Puri, Odisha.
Puri is all ready for one of India’s most vibrant religious events, Rath Yatra. This is also known as the Shree Gundicha Yatra, the annual procession invites millions of devotees from across India and abroad to witness the holy journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Devi Subhadra, Lord Balabhadra on their own chariots.
This year 2025, Rath Yatra will be observed on the coming Friday, June 27 this week. This marks the beginning of a mega 9-day festival deeprooted in tradition, devotion and spiritual essence.
As per Drik Panchang, the festival comes on the Dwitiya Tithi (2nd day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha according to the Hindu lunar calendar.
For more detailed outlook:
Dwitiya Tithi will begin at 1:24 PM on June 26
Dwitiya Tithi will end at 11:19 AM on June 27
The very famous chariot procession will start from the Jagannath Temple in Puri and move towards the Gundicha Temple. As per the legend, there, the deities will stay for a few days before returning.
According to Skanda Purana, Lord Jagannath, is considered a form of Lord Vishnu embarks on this chariot journey to his aunt’s house, fulfilling a divine promise to visit the Gundicha Temple once a year. The sacred journey shows the Lord’s compassion and love for his devotees.
All the celebrations start much before the actual Rath Yatra day, with several sacred rituals that set the tone for the festivities:
Anavasara: A period when Lord Jagannath is believed to fall ill and takes rest, away from public view. Starts from June 13 to June 26
Gundicha Marjana : A ritual where devotees clean the Gundicha Temple in preparation for the Lord’s arrival, on June 26
Rath Yatra: The grand procession of chariots from the Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple, on June 27
Hera Panchami: Goddess Lakshmi visits the Gundicha Temple, expressing her displeasure for being left behind, on July 1
Bahuda Yatra: The return journey of the deities to the Jagannath Temple, on July 4
Suna Besha: A spectacular event where the deities are adorned with gold ornaments, on July 5
Niladri Bijay: Marks the end of the festival when the deities re-enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath Temple, on July 5
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Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience reporting on Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes journalism plays a crucial role in amplifying unheard voices and bringing attention to issues that truly matter. Sofia has contributed articles to The New Indian Express, Youth Ki Awaaz, and Maktoob Media. She is also a recipient of the 2025 Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity. Beyond the newsroom, she is a music enthusiast who enjoys singing. Connect with Sofia on X: https://x.com/SBCism
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