Rath Yatra chariot making underway ahead of the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra on July 7. Every year during the month of Ashadha, a grand Rath Yatra is conducted from the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, drawing hundreds of thousands of devotees.
Lord Jagannath, along with his elder brother Balram and sister Subhadra, participate in this ancient tradition. According to the Hindu calendar, this year’s Rath Yatra will commence on July 7 and conclude on July 16. Lord Jagannath, considered a form of Shri Krishna, embodies Shri Hari Vishnu.
#WATCH | Puri, Odisha: Rath Yatra chariot making underway ahead of the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra on July 7 pic.twitter.com/YqYishD1G6
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The commencement timings for the Jagannath Rath Yatra according to the Vedic calendar are as follows: July 7 at 08:05 am, resuming at 09:27 am, then restarting at 12:15 pm, with breaks at 01:37 pm and resuming again from 04:39 pm until 06:01 pm.
The significance and history of the Jagannath Rath Yatra span centuries, believed to have begun in the 12th century. According to Hindu Epic Lord Krishna initiated the Rath Yatra with his siblings, marking the origin of this revered tradition.
Participation in this Yatra is considered spiritually beneficial, with devotees playing drums and chanting mantras. It is believed that those who participate with utmost devotion attain salvation, absolving them of all past sins and allowing for a fresh start in life.
In 2024, the Rath Yatra will start on June 29th and conclude with the return journey, Bahuda Yatra, on July 7th. These dates are eagerly anticipated by millions of devotees who journey from afar to witness the grand procession and take part in the festivities.
The preparations for the Rath Yatra begin well ahead with rituals like Snana Purnima, where the deities undergo a ceremonial bath, and Anasara, a period of seclusion. Netrotsava, or the “Festival of the Eyes,” precedes the Yatra, symbolizing the readiness of the deities for their journey. The Chhera Pahara ritual, performed by the King of Puri, emphasizes humility and equality before the divine.
The majestic chariots used in the Rath Yatra—Nandighosa, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana—are ornate wooden structures of varying sizes, each adorned with distinct canopies and decorations.