The Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of the most anticipated Hindu festivals, is set to commence on June 27, 2025, in Puri, Odisha. This grand event, also known as the Chariot Festival or Shree Gundicha Yatra, celebrates Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu, along with his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. The nine-day festival involves a sacred journey of the deities from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, marked by various rituals and traditions.

Ritual Timings

The Rath Yatra is preceded by several important rituals. The preparations formally begin on Akshya Tritiya (April 30, 2025) with the construction of the chariots. Key rituals leading up to the main event include:

• Snana Purnima (June 11, 2025): The deities are ceremonially bathed with 108 pots of holy water. Following the bath, they are dressed in special costumes called 'Gaja Besha,' resembling elephants.
• Anavasara (June 12 – 25, 2025): After Snana Purnima, the deities are placed in isolation for 15 days, believed to be a period of rest and recuperation.
• Gundicha Marjana and Nabajauban Darshan (June 26, 2025): The Gundicha Temple is cleaned, and the deities reappear in youthful forms after their period of isolation.

On June 27, 2025, the main Rath Yatra day, the rituals will follow this schedule:

• Mangala Alati – 6 AM
• Mailam – 6.10 AM
• Tadapa Lagi – 6.30 AM
• Rosha Homa – 6.30 AM
• Abakasha – 7 AM
• Surya Puja (Sun Puja) – 7.10 AM
• Dwarapal Puja – 7.30 AM
• Besha Sesha – 7.30 AM
• Gopala Ballabha & Sakala Puja (Khichdi Bhog) - 8 AM to 9 AM
• Rath Pratistha – 9 AM
• Mangalarpana – 9.15 AM
• Pahandi Begins – 9.30 AM
• Pahandi Ends – 12.30 AM
• Shree Shree Madana Mohana, Shree Shree Rama & Shree Shree Krushna Bije - 12.30 M – 1 PM
• Chita Lagi - 1.30 PM - 2 PM
• Besha Sesha - 1.30 PM - 2.30 PM
• Chhera Panhara - 2.30 PM - 3.30 PM
• Charamala Phita (Untie Charamala), Tying (installation) of Ghoda (Horse) & Sarathi on the Rathas (chariots) - 4 PM
• Pulling of Ratha Begins - 4 PM

Other key rituals during the festival include Hera Panchami (July 1, 2025), Sandhya Darshan (July 4, 2025), and Bahuda Yatra (July 5, 2025), which marks the return journey of the deities to the Jagannath Temple. The festival concludes with Niladri Bijay on July 5, marking the deities' re-entry into the temple.

Route Map

The deities embark on a 3-kilometer journey along the Bada Danda, or the Grand Road, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. The act of pulling the chariots is considered highly auspicious, believed to erase sins and bring blessings.

Traffic Advisory

To manage the large influx of devotees, the Puri Police and district authorities have implemented extensive traffic and security measures. Key points from the traffic advisory include:

• Vehicle-Free Zones: No motor vehicles will be permitted on the entire Grand Road and several connecting thoroughfares around the Jagannath Temple.
• Parking Arrangements: Designated parking spots have been allocated around major locations. Tourist buses from Bhubaneswar, Brahmagiri, and Konark will have specific parking areas with designated return routes.
• Shuttle Services: Shuttle services, including three-wheelers, will operate in loops from parking hubs to facilitate movement.

Devotees are advised to follow designated routes, park only in assigned zones, and utilize shuttle services to avoid congestion. Cooperation with police and volunteers is essential for a safe and smooth experience.

Link to Watch Online

For those unable to attend the Rath Yatra in person, live streaming will be available on Doordarshan National, starting at 8:30 AM on June 27, 2025. Online streaming platforms, including YouTube channels, will also broadcast the event live. One such link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bcv4ia3MOsc. Times Now and ETV Bharat will also have live streaming available.

The Jagannath Rath Yatra is not just a religious event but a vibrant cultural spectacle that embodies equivalence and integration. With careful planning and the cooperation of devotees, the 2025 Rath Yatra promises to be a memorable and spiritually uplifting experience for all.