Rath Yatra 2025: Preparations for the much-awaited Jagannath Rath Yatra (Chariot festival or Gundicha Yatra) in Puri, Odisha is in full swing. The Festival of Chariots of Mahaprabhu is celebrated every year. Among the twelve Yatras of Shree Jagannatha, Rath Yatra is considered the most famous and auspicious one. In the Skanda purana, it is mentioned that no festival of Lord Jagannath is more important than that of the Shree Gundicha Yatra. The Rath Yatra of the ‘three deities’ takes place on the 2nd day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha. This year, the yatra will take place on Friday, June 27.
Rath Yatra 2025: Ritual Significance
The chariot holds special significance and is considered a symbol of “Sandhini Sakti”. It is believed that a mere touch of the Ratha offers compassion of Lord Shree Jagannatha on the devotees. The huge, beautifully decorated chariots, are drawn by lakhs of devotees.
Each chariot is tied with four wooden idols of horses. The kahalia servitor blows trumpet, which is followed by the beating of gongs. The chariots are then pulled, and Ratha Dahuk (performer or singer who chants ritual verse) sings many songs to encourage the crowd to pull the chariot.
The Rathas are pulled towards the Shree Gundicha Temple, situated at a distance of three kilometres. After it reaches the temple premises, idols of deities, Lord Sudarsana, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Shree Jagannatha are taken by Daitapatis to the Simhasana inside the temple. In the Shree Gundicha Temple, all the rituals similar to that of Shreemandira are performed during the stay of the seven days. After seven days, the deities return to Shreemandira, their abode.
Rath Yatra 2025: Timing
According to Drik Panchang, the Ratha Yatra will take place on June 27. The timings to observe the auspicious occasion are:
Dwitiya Tithi Begins – 1:24 PM on June 26
Dwitiya Tithi Ends – 11:19 AM on June 27
Rath Yatra 2025 Nine-Day Schedule
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 13, 2025 | Anavasara Begins |
| June 26, 2025 | Anavasara Ends / Gundicha Marjana |
| June 27, 2025 | Rath Yatra |
| July 1, 2025 | Hera Panchami |
| July 4, 2025 | Bahuda Yatra |
| July 5, 2025 | Suna Besha |
| July 5, 2025 | Niladri Bijay |
Watch The Preparation Visuals Here:
#WATCH | Odisha | The temple town of Puri is all set to witness the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 that commences tomorrow
During the festival, devotees draw the grand chariots of the three deities—Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balabhadra, and sister goddess Subhadra—to Gundicha… pic.twitter.com/AFfdGdXMJ2
— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2025
