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| Ratha Yatra of Puri | |
|---|---|
 Three chariots of the deities with the temple in the background, Puri | |
| Also called | Ghosha Jātrā |
| Observed by | Hindu |
| Type | Religious |
| Begins | ĀshādhaShuklaDvitiyā |
| Ends | Āshādha ShuklaDashami |
| 2024 date | 7 July, Sunday |
| 2025 date | 27 June, Friday[1] |
| Duration | 1 week, 2 days |
| Frequency | annual |
TheRatha Yatraof Puri, also rendered as theRatha Jatra (Odia:ରଥଯାତ୍ରା,lit. 'Chariot Festival' or 'Car Festival') (/ˈrʌθəˈjɑːtrɑː/,Odia pronunciation:[ɾɔt̪ʰɔdʒat̪ɾa]), is considered the oldest and largest Hindu chariot festival celebrated annually, on the bright half of the lunar month ofAshadh (June–July).[2][3]
The Ratha Yatra is held at the city ofPuri, in the state ofOdisha, India and associated with the deityJagannath (a form ofVishnu orKrishna).[2] During the festival, three deities (Jagannath, his brotherBalabhadra and sisterSubhadra) are drawn by a multitude of devotees in three massive, wooden chariots onbada danda (the grand avenue) toGundicha Temple whereby they reside there for a week and then return to theJagnannath temple. This return trip is referred to as the Bahuda Yatra.[2][4] On their way back from theGundicha Temple, the three deities stop for a while near theMausi Maa Temple (Aunt's abode) and have an offering of the Poda Pitha, which is a special type of pancake supposed to be the deity's favourite. After a stay of seven days, the deities return to their abode.
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Descriptions of the Ratha Yatra can be found inBrahma Purana,Padma Purana, theSkanda Purana, and theKapila Samhita.[5] Records of the festival have been noted by European travelers since the 13th century, with the most prominent and vivid descriptions noted in the 17th century.[6]
The three chariots ofJagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are newly constructed every year with wood of specified trees like phassi, dhausa, etc. They are customarily brought from the ex-princely state ofDasapalla by a specialist team of carpenters who have hereditary rights and privileges for the same. The logs are traditionally set afloat as rafts in the riverMahanadi. These are collected nearPuri and then transported by road.[7]
The three chariots are decorated as per the unique scheme prescribed and followed for centuries stand on the Bada Danda, the Grand Avenue. The chariots are lined across the wide avenue in front of the temple close to its eastern entrance, which is also known as the Singhadwara or the Lion's Gate.
Around each of the chariots are nine Parsva devatas, painted wooden images representing different deities on the chariots' sides. Each chariot has a charioteer (Sarathi) and four horses.
| Chariot Details | Jagannath | Balabhadra | Subhadra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name of Chariot | Nandighosha (ନନ୍ଦିଘୋଷ) | Taladhwaja (ତାଳଧ୍ୱଜ) | Darpadalana (ଦର୍ପଦଳନ) |
| Alternates name of Chariot | Garudadhwaja, Kapidhwaja | Langaladhwaja | Devadalana, Padmadhwaja |
| Main Deity | Jagannath | Balarama | Subhadra |
| Image |   |   |   |
| Number of wheels | 16 | 14 | 12 |
| Total Number of wooden pieces used | 832 | 763 | 593 |
| Height | 44' 2" | 43' 3" | 42' 3" |
| Length and breadth | 34'6" x 34'6" | 33' x 33' | 31'6" x 31'6" |
| Colours of the canopies | Red, Yellow (yellow associated with Vishnu) | Red, Bluish green | Red, Black (Black associated with the Goddess) |
| Guardian | Garuda | Vasudeva | Jayadurga |
| Charioteer | Daruka | Matali | Arjuna |
| Flag name | Trailokyamohini | Unnani | Nadambika |
| Flag emblem | Palm Tree | ||
| Name of Horses |
|
|
|
| Colour of Horses | White | Black | Red |
| Name of Chariot Rope | Sankhachudha Nagini | Basuki Naga | Swarnachuda Nagini |
| Accompanying deity | Madanmohan | Ramakrishna | Sudarshana |
| Gatekeepers (Dvarapala) |
| ||
| Nine parshvadevata (Subsidiary deities) |
|
Jagannath temple employs different kinds ofsevakas who offer their services on the Ratha.
Hera Panchami is a ritual observed during the period of Rath Yatra in theGrand Jagannath Temple of Puri. It is known as a ritual of GoddessLakshmi. The fifth day from Rath Yatra, i.e., the fifth day in bright fortnight ofAshadha is known as the Hera Panchami.[13][14] During Ratha Yatra, lordJagannath comes out on a divine outing with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra along with his divine weapon Sudarshana, leaving behind His wife Mahalaxmi. The Goddess expresses her anger for the deity. She proceeds to theGundicha Temple, the Adapa Mandapa in a palanquin in the form of a Subarna Mahalaxmi and threatens Him to come back to the temple at the earliest. To please her, the deity concedes to her by offering heragyan mala (a garland of consent). Seeing the Goddess furious, the sevakas close the main door of the Gundicha. Mahalaxmi returns to the main temple through the Nakachana gate. In a unique ritual, the Goddess orders one of her attendants to damage a part of the Nandighosa chariot. This is followed by her hiding behind a tamarind tree outside the Gundicha Temple. After some time, she escapes to her home temple in secrecy, through a separate path way known as Hera Gohri Lane[15] The unique ritual is enjoyed by lakhs of devotees of Jagannath.The rituals of Hera Panchami as an important function of Srimandira finds mention inSkanda Purana. According to the history of the Temple, this "utsav" started during the time of Maharaja Kapilendra Deb. Before his reign, the Hera Panchami function was being observed in a symbolic way with recitation of Mantras. As stated inMadala Panji, Raja Kapilendra Deb substituted this practice with the introduction of an idol of Mahalaxmi made of gold and making the celebration more realistic.[16]
TheChandan yatra or "Sandalwood Festival" is a 42-day period that marks the beginning of construction work for the chariots. The period is divided in half, consisting of 21 days each. The first half is known asBahar chandan, whereby the representative images of the presiding deities are taken out in colorful processions and given a ceremonial boat ride in the Narendra tank every day. These deities include Madan Mohan (Jagannath), Rama-Krishna, Lakshmi, Saraswati and the Pancha Pandava - the presiding deities of the five main Shiva temples. The latter, known asBhitar chandan, consists of various rituals not open to the public.[17] The construction of the chariots starts on Akshaya Tritiya, the third day of the bright fortnight of Vaisakha, with ritual fire worship. This takes place in front of the palace of the King of Puri and opposite the main office of the Puri temple. Later the deities have a ritual bath in a small temple in the middle of the tank, in stone tubs filled with water, sandalwood paste, scents, and flowers.
This sandalwood festival culminates in theSnana Yatra or "Bathing Festival" which takes place on the full moon day of the month of Jyeshtha. The deities, Jagannath, Balbhadra and Subhadra are bathed with 108 pots of water and then remain in symbolic and ritual convalescence for about two weeks. They are barred from the view of the public.[18] Only three special patta chitras, traditional Oriya paintings of natural colors on cloth stiffened with starch, known as Anasara Pattis, are strung on a bamboo screen hiding the deities from public view, can be seen by the public. During this period, the deities are given only roots, leaves, berries and fruits to cure them of their indisposition. This ritual is a reminder of the strong tribal elements in the genesis and evolution of the Jagannatha cult. The progeny of Lalita, daughter of the original tribal worshipper Biswabasu, chieftain of hunters, and the Brahmin priest Vidyapati, are known as daitapatis or daitas. They have the almost exclusive privilege of serving the deityduring the convalescence and through the entire period of Ratha Jatra or the Festival of Chariots.
After the chariots of the deities return to the main temple from the Gundicha temple, the deities are attired in gold ornaments and worshipped on the chariots. This celebration is known asSuna Besha. Tradition maintains that this event was first started by KingKapilendra Deva in 1460, when after returning victorious from war he donated gold toJagannath.[19] The deities are adorned with gold jewelry weighing nearly 208 kg. In 2014 nearly nine hundred thousand devotees witnessed this event held on 9 July.[19]
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In 2015 on the occasion of Rath Yatra, lakhs of devotees thronged the coastal town of Puri to catch a glimpse of the deitiesre-embodied after 19 years on chariots. This was the largest-ever religious congregation in Odisha.[citation needed]
The Rath Yatra of 2025 marked a significant shift in devotion with the integration of digital technology. Alongside the traditional physical gathering lakhs of devotees. A substantial number of people participated virtually through live streaming platforms,[20] reflecting the emergence of a digital revolution in religious observance.
Key highlights of the 2025 Yatra included enhanced crowd management strategies[21] implemented by local authorities, global live streaming that enabled wider participation, and a focus on environmental sustainability. Eco-friendly initiatives such as the use of biodegradable offerings and reduced single-use plastics were introduced, making the event more environmentally responsible than in previous years.[22]
This table shows the dates forRatha Yatra held inPuri,Odisha. These dates shows from the YearNabakalebara, 2015 to the Year of next (After 19 years)Nabakalebara, 2034.[citation needed]
| Ratha Yatra inPuri | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Starting Date | Ending Date (9th day Of Ratha Yatra) |
| 2015 | 18 July | 26 July |
| 2016 | 6 July | 14 July |
| 2017 | 25 June | 3 July |
| 2018 | 14 July | 22 July |
| 2019 | 4 July | 12 July |
| 2020 | 23 June | 1 July |
| 2021 | 12 July | 20 July |
| 2022 | 1 July | 9 July |
| 2023 | 20 June | 28 June |
| 2024 | 7 July | 15 July |
| 2025 | 27 June | 5 July |
| 2026 | 16 July | 24 July |
| 2027 | 5 July | 13 July |
| 2028 | 23 June | 1 July |
| 2029 | 13 July | 21 July |
| 2030 | 2 July | 10 July |
| 2031 | 22 June | 30 June |
| 2032 | 9 July | 17 July |
| 2033 | 28 June | 6 July |
| 2034 | 17 July | 25 July |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link){{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)It is celebrated on Ashada Shukla Panchami, fifth day in bright fortnight of Ashadha month in Oriya calendar.
'Hera' means to 'see' and 'Panchami' means the 'fifth day'.
Laxmi sets out in night and visits the Gundicha Temple through Badadanda and returns secretly through the Heragohiri Sahi or street after breaking a piece of wood of Nandigosha Ratha
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