A complete guide to Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra

The Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra (together known as the Holy Trinity) is one of the biggest Indian festivals, celebrated with much enthusiasm and fervour in Orissa. This year, the revered rath yatra will begin in the month of July. This is the time when the Holy Trinity of Jagannath Temple of Puri starts on their nine-day annual journey to the Mausi Maa Temple or Gundicha Temple.
About the festival

During the Jagannath Rath Yatra, the city of Puri, especially the Grand Road or Bada Danda, experiences this spiritual fervour. This is the time when humanity takes over factors like caste and religion. Huge idols of deities are driven on three majestic chariots, namely Nandighosha (Lord Jagannath), Taladhwaja (Balabhadra) and Darpadalana (Subhadra).

The rath yatra is probably one of the greatest and the grandest spectacles on the planet, where you can witness a swarm of pilgrims united together to get a glimpse of the deities, who stay at their aunt's place for nine days. After that, they are taken back to the Jagannath Temple on the 10th day. Their home-coming journey is known as Bahuda Yatra.

The ritual that follows

The Trinity, after returning home, stays in their chariots for another two days. During these two days, rituals such as Suna Besha and Adhar Pana are performed. Suna Besha is the ritual of decorating the deities in gold jewellery while Adhar Pana is when a sweet drink is prepared on the chariots and offered to the gods.


On the next day (12th day), all the deities are taken back inside the Jagannath Temple in the ceremonial Pahandi procession. The Rath Yatra is concluded with the ceremony of Niladri Bije, when deities are offered rasagulla bhog.

How to reach Puri?

Puri is a beautiful religious city, easily accessible from all Indian cities. The nearest airport is in the city of Bhubaneswar, around 60 km away. When it comes to the railway station, Puri has its own well-developed rail facility that connects the city to the rest of the world.