Puri Rath Yatra Festival Guide – Dates, Rituals & Travel Tips

What is Puri Rath Yatra?

The Puri Rath Yatra, also known as the Jagannath Rath Yatra, is an iconic Hindu festival held every year in Puri, Odisha. It celebrates the annual chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.

This centuries-old tradition draws millions of pilgrims and tourists from across the world, making it one of the largest religious gatherings in India.

Rath Yatra 2025 Dates

• Rath Yatra 2025 Start Date: June 29, 2025 (Sunday)

• Return Journey (Bahuda Yatra): July 6, 2025 (Sunday)

Note: Dates are based on the Hindu lunar calendar (Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya) and may vary slightly.

Key Rituals of the Rath Yatra

1. Snana Purnima

• Deities are bathed with 108 pots of sacred water.

• Marks the symbolic illness of the deities before their journey.

2. Anasara

• A 15-day period where the deities “rest” inside the temple and are not visible to the public.

3. Rath Yatra Day

• Huge wooden chariots (raths) are pulled by devotees through the Bada Danda (Grand Road).

• Deities travel from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, about 3 km away.

4. Bahuda Yatra

The return journey of the deities after a week-long stay at the Gundicha Temple.

5. Suna Besha

Deities are adorned with golden ornaments before re-entering the Jagannath Temple.

About the Chariots

Deity	Chariot Name	Color	Height	Wheels
Lord Jagannath	Nandighosa	Yellow & Red	45 ft	16
Balabhadra	Taladhwaja	Blue	44 ft	14
Subhadra	Darpadalana	Red & Black	43 ft	12

What Makes the Puri Rath Yatra Special?

• No idol in Hinduism is taken out like this in public with such grandeur.

• The belief is: Even the gods come out to bless the people.

• International visitors, photographers, and spiritual seekers gather to witness this divine spectacle.

Travel Tips for Visiting Puri During Rath Yatra

Before You Go

• Book your hotel well in advance – most hotels fill up months before.

• Carry light cotton clothes – it’s humid and hot in June/July.

• Register for special darshan passes if available.

How to Reach Puri

• By Train: Direct trains from major cities like Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Delhi, and Chennai.

• By Air: Nearest airport is Bhubaneswar (BBI) – 60 km away.

• By Road: Well-connected via NH-316 and buses from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

Where to Stay

• Budget: Z Hotel, Shree Residency

• Mid-Range: Mayfair Heritage, Victoria Club Hotel

• Luxury: Mayfair Waves, Toshali Sands Resort

What to Pack for Rath Yatra

• Sunglasses, cap, and sunscreen

• Water bottle and basic snacks

• Power bank and camera

• Respectful traditional attire for temple visits