12-06-2025
Planning to attend Jagannath Rath Yatra this year? Here's how to plan a trip and all you need to know
The Jagannath Rath Yatra, a grand chariot festival in Puri, Odisha, involves the procession of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra on massive wooden chariots. Thousands of devotees pull these chariots to the Gundicha Temple, followed by a return journey. Celebrations extend to other cities like Ahmedabad, with rituals and preparations underway, marking a festival steeped in history and tradition.
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Celebrations Across India
A Festival with History
The Three Grand Chariots
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Nandighosha for Jagannath (16 wheels)
Taladhwaja for Balabhadra (14 wheels)
Darpadalana for Subhadra (12 wheels)
The Procession
Tips for First-Time Visitors
Arrive early – Come 2–3 days before the event to get good accommodation.
Dress wisely – Wear light, modest clothes and stay hydrated in the summer heat (25–35 °C).
Where to watch – You can either book viewing gallery tickets for a calmer view or join the lively crowd along the chariot path.
Follow local customs – Respect religious practices and follow ritual timings.
Use Technology to Help
The Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, is the biggest chariot festival in the world. It takes place every year in June or July. During the festival, three idols—Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra—are taken out of the Jagannath Temple and placed on huge wooden chariots. These chariots are pulled by thousands of people through the streets of Puri to the Gundicha Temple, about 3 km a week, the return journey, called Bahuda Yatra, brings the deities back to the main excitement isn't just in Puri. Other cities also celebrate. In Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the state's Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said that lakhs of devotees take part in the Rath Yatra there too. The important Jal Yatra ritual (fetching holy water from the Sabarmati River) has already started. He also said all arrangements are being made for the Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, which will be held on June in Odisha, important rituals like Pahandi and Snana Utsav (ritual bathing) have already taken Rath Yatra dates back to the 12th–16th centuries. Some believe it marks Lord Krishna's return to his birthplace, while others say it was started by King Indradyumna. The festival follows age-old traditions. First, the idols are bathed with 108 pots of water on Snana Purnima. Then, they rest in isolation (called Anavasara) as they are said to fall 'ill,' before coming out for the big deity has a large wooden chariot:The chariots are made fresh each year from special wood and are decorated with colorful cloth. Over 1,200 meters of cloth is used, and the chariots are made using more than 600–800 wooden parts.A special moment in the festival is the Chera Pahara ritual , where the Gajapati King sweeps the area around the chariots with a golden broom, showing that everyone is equal before the chariots move through the streets, people shout 'Jai Jagannath' and pull the ropes. It's believed that touching the ropes brings blessings and washes away sins. The deities stay at the Gundicha Temple for nine days. On the return trip, they stop at the Mausi Maa Temple to enjoy their favorite sweet—Poda Pitha, a traditional pancake. The festival ends with Niladri Bijaya, when the idols return to the main Odisha government has launched the Shree Jagannatha Dham app. It gives live updates, info on darshan queues, navigation, Mahaprasad availability, and a grievance portal. It's very helpful during the Rath Yatra.[With TOI inputs]
