The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a major Hindu festival celebrated in Odisha. The festival, also known as the Chariot or Shree Gundicha Yatra, has been celebrated for more than four hundred years. This year, the date of Rath Yatra is 27 June 2025—observed on Dwitiya Tithi (the second day of the Shukla Paksha of the lunar month). The time is considered as one of the most spiritually auspicious due to the increasing brightness of the moon.
Rath Yatra 2025: Date & Timing
The main yatra in Puri is scheduled for Friday, 27 June 2025, coinciding with the Dwitiya Tithi of Ashadha Sukla Paksha.
As per the Drik Panchnag:
- Dwitiya Tithi begins at 1:24 PM on 26 June
- End at 11:19 AM on 27 June
Rath Yatra 2025: Nine-Day Festival Schedule
Thousands of devotees gather to pull the majestic chariots of Lord Jaganna Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra to the Gundicha Temple. Similarly it is also celebrated in other parts of India where the deities reside for nine days. As per the source, the Rath Yatra nine-day festival schedule includes,
| Occasion | Date |
| Anavasara | June 13 – June 26, 2025 |
| Gundicha Marjana | June 26, 2025 |
| Rath Yatra | June 27, 2025 |
| Hera Panchami | July 1, 2025 |
| Bahuda Yatra | July 4, 2025 |
Significance of Jagannath Rath Yatra
In simple words, the Jagannath Rath Yatra signifies Lord Jagannath’s journey to his place of birth to Gundicha Temple. Because it is considered as his birthplace and place of his aunt. It is a festival of cleansing and restoration. And by pulling the chariots, one tends to cleanse the soul and produce spiritual wealth. Furthermore, the festival is known to be a sacred pilgrimage, symbolizing unity, faith, and reverence for the divine.
Rituals of Jagannath Rath Yatra
The Rath Yatra follows several sacred rituals rooted in centuries-old traditions. The first and foremost ritual is Snana Purnima where the deities are bathed with 108 pots of water. The ritual; is simply followed by a period called Anavasara during which deities are kept away from public view for recuperation. And on the day of Yatra, the deities are ceremoniously placed on the massive wooden chariots. After that the Gajapati King performs the Chhera Pahanra, sweeping the chariot floor with a golden broom. Sooner devotees pull the chariots to the Gundicha Temple, marking the Lord’s symbolic journey to bless the masses and uphold divine equality.
Security and Arrangements by the Government for Visitors/Devotees
Thousands of people visit Puri during Rath Yatra each year. To manage the crowd and ensure stress-free celebration, the government takes several initiatives and this year is no exception. As per the sources, East Coast Railway has announced to run 365 special trains for devotees wishing to be a part of annual Rath Yatra festival in Puri, Odisha. The trains will connect the holy city of Puri with all prime states including West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
One of the main aims behind this decision is to accommodate thousands of devotees to safely visit the city and be a part of the grand procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.
There are also other security majors that have been taken to manage the overall crowd. The presence of more than 70 police platoons and Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) have been deployed around the temple and procession route. The security also includes AI-enabled CCTV, bullet-proof vehicles, and armour units. The heightened vigilance follows hotspot concerns and high-profile dignitary attendance. Thus, the multi-layered deployment ensures stress-free celebration of sacred festivals.
Conclusion
Rath Yatra is more than just a festival—it is regeneration of hope, faith, devotion, and unity. Regardless of the place, the procession enables spiritual connection and community harmony. To ensure the festival only focuses on devotional aspects, the government has also taken major security and service moves. There will be ATS deployments, trained police personnel, CCTV surveillance and large scale ISKCON worldwide. Thus, the devotees are free to celebrate the journey of faith with both safety and joy.
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