Jagannath Rath Yatra Puri

What is Rath Yatra?

Rath Yatra is a ceremonial procession of the deities from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, which is supposedly the place of their aunt. The deities travel in three gigantic, beautifully carved, wooden chariots known as raths, which are dragged by thousands of devotees. This practice of dragging the chariots is very divine and is said to bring positive results. It is said that one who gets a chance to watch the deities on the chariots during this journey will have his/her sins forgiven and will receive blessings.

History and Origins

The festival of Ratha Yatra has been performed for years and the festival is part of the ancient literature and myths of the Sanatana Dharma. The Skanda Purana, Brahma Purana and Padma Purana are sacred texts that mention the festival and depict the deity of Jagannath moving to the Gundicha Temple. As for the origins, this is a royal procession that can be linked back thousands of years to a desire of Lord Krishna to visit his family in Vrindavan. It is said that Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra, express their desire to meet their devotees outside the temple, as Krishna did with his Gopis.

Historically, the festival has been celebrated for more than 1,000 years, as far back as the time of King Indradyumna, the legendary founder of the Jagannath Temple. Adi Shankaracharya, the great Hindu philosopher is said to have visited Puri and have seen the Ratha Yatra which adds more spirit to the festival.

Over the years, the rulers of Odisha’s Gajapati Kings, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and other Vaishnavite saints have also contributed to the preservation and enhancement of this festival. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, however, propagated the Ratha Yatra because he stated that pulling the chariots is a form of divine service and a means to attain salvation.

Modern Ratha Yatra celebrations can be found in other countries as well, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Australia where ISKCON celebrates chariots festival of Lord Jagannath.

Significance

Ratha Yatra embodies the principle of oneness as everyone, irrespective of caste or creed, pitches in to pull the holy carts, thus identifying with the divine. This also displays the cultural pride of Odisha through music, dance, and rituals. The festival, further, demonstrates the Lord’s grace, as he comes out of the temple to offer darshan to everyone including those who cannot enter the temple.

How It Is Celebrated

The biggest and most celebrated festival in India, especially in Puri of Odisha, where millions of people come to see the divine procession of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra in Ratha Yatra is one of a kind. The celebrations are extended over a number of days with each day having its own set of rituals and traditions.

1. Construction of the Chariots
   The festival is prepared for months ahead of time, and the three massive wooden chariots, or Rathas, for the deities are built again every year. These chariots are made of wood from special trees like Phassi and Dhausa. The construction of the Ratha begins at the Ratha Khala (chariot-making yard) near the Jagannath Temple. These enormous structures are made by skilled artisans and carpenters, all within the context of rigorous ritualistic construction, such that they conform to traditional parameters. Each chariot is unique in its design:
   Nandighosa – The chariot of Lord Jagannath, which is painted yellow and red, has 16 wheels and is the largest, 45 feet high.
   Taladhwaja – The chariot of Lord Balabhadra, which is green and red in colour, has 14 wheels and is 44 feet high.
   Darpadalana – The chariot of Goddess Subhadra, which is black and red in colour and has 12 wheels, is 43 feet high.
   
2. Rituals Performaed Prior to Ratha Yatra
   Several significant ceremonies happen before the big procession:
   Snana Purnima – The deities are bathed with 108 pitchers of scented water in a big purification ceremony called Snana Purnima. Afterwards, they are said to catch illness and remain inside the temple (Anasara period) for 15 days, concealed from the public.
   Netrotsava (Nava Yauvana Darshan) – On the day before Ratha Yatra, the deities come out of the temple with a new look of a rejuvenated youthful appearance and this marks the beginning of the festival.
3. The Grand Procession (Gundicha Yatra)
   On the day of Ratha Yatra, the three deities are brought out of the temple and taken in a ceremonial procession called Pahandi Bije. People chant ‘Jai Jagannath’, sing devotional songs and play traditional instruments like gongs, cymbals and mridangas.
   The Gajapati King of Puri, considered as the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, performs the Chhera Pahanra ritual and sweeps the chariots with a golden broom. This act symbolizes humility and the idea that all are equal before the Lord.
   The massive wooden chariots are then pulled by thousands of devotees using thick ropes and the deities embark on their sacred journey to the Gundicha Temple, their ‘aunt’s home’ located about 3 km from the Jagannath Temple. The pulling of the chariots is believed to fetch spiritual merit and liberation if done with devotion.
4. The Stay at Gundicha Temple
   The deities are kept at the Gundicha Temple for seven days and are worshipped, and some special rituals are performed there. It is the third phase and signifies Lord Jagannath’s visit to his birthplace, same as Lord Krishna visit to Vrindavan.
5. The Return Journey (Bahuda Yatra)
   One week later, the deities start their journey back to the Jagannath Temple in another massive procession called Bahuda Yatra. They also halt at the Mausi Maa Temple on their way, i.e., the temple of Ardhasini Devi and are treated with their favorite sweet, Poda Pitha (a kind of rice cake).
6. Suna Besha and Niladri Bije
   After returning to the Jagannath Temple, the deities are put in very valuable clothes – golden ones, called Suna Besha, and are decorated with gold jewels. Last of all, the festival ends with Niladri Bije when Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra come back to their temple chamber.

Key Highlights of Ratha Yatra

1. The Chariots

• Nandighosa (Lord Jagannatha): 45 feet tall, 16 wheels.
• Taladhwaja (Lord Balabhadra): 44 feet tall, 14 wheels.
• Darpadalana (Devi Subhadra): 43 feet tall, 12 wheels.
  Each chariot is intricately decorated with vibrant fabrics, wood carvings, and paintings, prepared anew every year.

2. Rituals and Events

• Snana Purnima: The deities are bathed in 108 pots of water, marking the beginning of the Ratha Yatra preparations.
• Anasara Period: The deities remain secluded for 15 days for rest and recovery.
• Chhera Pahanra: The ceremonial sweeping of the chariots by the King of Puri with a golden broom, symbolizing humility and devotion.
• Bahuda Yatra: The return journey of the deities to the Jagannatha Temple after a nine-day stay at the Gundicha Temple.

3. Devotional Singing and Dancing

Throughout the procession, the streets come alive with kirtans, bhajans, and cultural performances. Devotees pull the chariots, believing it to be a sacred act of service.

Important Dates for Ratha Yatra 2025

Akshya Tritiya (April 30, 2025): This ritual is the formal start of the Rath Yatra preparations. It is on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya that the construction of the chariots for the grand Rath Yatra festival in Puri is started. On this day, it is traditional to bring the first logs of wood to start making the enormous chariots for Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra.
Snana Purnima (June 11, 2025): On this day, the deities are taken out from the temple and are given a ceremonial bath with 108 pots of holy water which are fetched from the Golden Well. In this event, the devotees can witness the deities. After the bath, the deities are put on some special costume called ‘Gaja Besha’, i.e. they dress up like elephants.
Anavasara (June 13 – 26, 2025): After Snana Purnima, the deities are placed in isolation for 15 days. It is said that they ‘catch cold’ after the bath and need to be taken care of and made to rest. This period is also a time when the temple is closed to the public and when special herbal treatments are provided to the deities.
Gundicha Marjana (June 26, 2025): On the day before the actual Rath Yatra, the Gundicha Temple is cleaned up and readied for the deities to occupy. This ritual is the way of cleansing the heart to receive the divine.
Rath Yatra (June 27, 2025): The main event! The deities are taken out in a big procession (Pahandi) and put on their chariots. Then, the grand procession begins. The chariots are pulled by thousands of devotees along the Bada Danda, or the Grand Road, to the Gundicha Temple, which is approximately three kilometers. This act of pulling the chariots is said to erase sin and bring blessings. When the deities are on their chariots, the King of Puri performs the ‘Chhera Panhara’ ritual, in which he sweeps the chariot platforms with a golden broom. This means that God has no prejudice against anyone.
Hera Panchami (July 1, 2025): On the fifth day of the deities stay at Gundicha Temple, people believe that Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Jagannath, visits him. Hera Panchami is the tradition of Goddess Lakshmi’s search for her husband and a playful game between the representatives of the deities.
Sandhya Darshan (July 3, 2025): It is believed that the viewing of the deities at the Gundicha Temple in the evening is of supreme importance. According to the literature, it is as if one has seen the deities for ten years at the main temple if one has seen them at this temple.
Bahuda Yatra (July 5, 2025): The festival of carrying the deities from the Gundicha Temple to the Jagannath Temple is known as Bahuda Yatra. The chariots are also stopped at the Mausi Maa Temple when they are on their way back and they receive ‘Poda Pitha,’ a kind of baked cake.
Suna Besha (July 6, 2025): The day after the festival of Bahuda Yatra, the deities are decorated with golden ornaments during the festival of Suna Besha. This is a magnificent scene, with the deities covered in gold.
Adhara Pana (July 7, 2025): Adhara Pana is a kind of sweet drink which is especially offered to Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra deities on their chariots during Rath Yatra. The drink, which is prepared from milk, cheese, sugar and spices, is prepared in large earthen pots and then served to the deities. After serving the drink, the pots are broken, meaning that everything is for everyone. This is an act of gratitude towards the deities and also the act of cutting the ego and egoistic attachments.
Niladri Bijay (July 8, 2025): This is the last event, which is the installation of the deities in the Jagannath Temple sanctum sanctorum. This is a final event of the festival, which means that the deities have returned to their proper place in the temple.

How to Participate in Ratha Yatra

Devotees can join by pulling the chariots, offering prayers, or witnessing the festival from designated spots. Plan your visit early to experience the spiritual energy and vibrant atmosphere.

Witnessing the Grand Procession
The most significant event happens on the Grand Road (Bada Danda) in Jagannath Temple, where the huge chariots are taken from the temple to Gundicha Temple. To get a perfect spot, it is advisable to be early in the morning and stand on Bada Danda or near the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate).

Being part of the Chariot Pulling Event
It is permitted to help pull the ropes of the Rathas and this is considered to be of great blessing. However, because of many people, security measures may prevent one from participating. To be allowed to pull the chariots, one should be on Bada Danda at least 4-5 hours before the event and remain in the close proximity of the volunteers.

Special Darshan & Rituals
Before the Yatra starts, one can watch the Pahandi Bije (a procession of the deities), Chhera Pahanra (a ritual of sweeping by the Gajapati King and the grand Gundicha Yatra). When the deities remain at Gundicha Temple, devotees are allowed to have darshan for seven days and the return journey is called Bahuda Yatra.

Interesting Facts About Ratha Yatra

• The festival dates back over 1,000 years and is mentioned in ancient scriptures like the Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana.
• The English word “juggernaut” is derived from the unstoppable force of Lord Jagannatha’s chariot.
• The chariots are constructed without using any nails, following traditional carpentry techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Jagannath Rath Yatra Puri 2025

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