The Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, is one of India’s largest and most revered religious festivals, and one of the best known in the world: the great chariot festival. It is dedicated to Jagannath and his siblings, Balabhadra and the goddess Subhadra, and draws millions of devotees and visitors every year.
The chariots’ journey
During Rath Yatra, the deities are ceremonially brought out of the sacred Jagannath Temple and placed on three magnificently decorated wooden chariots. Devotees pull them along the Bada Danda, the Grand Road, to the Gundicha Temple: the Lord’s annual visit to his birthplace.
Millions gather to pull the chariot ropes, believing this sacred act brings blessings and spiritual fulfilment.
Nine days of rituals
The festival lasts nine days and includes rituals such as:
- Pahandi: the procession carrying the deities to the chariots.
- Chhera Pahanra: the ritual sweeping of the chariots.
- Hera Panchami: a ritual linked to the goddess Lakshmi during the stay at Gundicha.
- Bahuda Yatra: the return journey to the Jagannath Temple.
- Suna Besha: when the deities are adorned in gold.
Much more than religion
Rath Yatra is a symbol of Odisha’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. The streets resound with devotional chants, traditional music and performances, in an atmosphere of joy and unity. It fosters religious harmony, devotion and community participation, blending faith, tradition, art and hospitality. That’s why Puri becomes a major spiritual and cultural destination at this time, and one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
It is a journey of faith uniting people across cultures and generations, reflecting a spirit of devotion and inclusivity.
Where and when
At Shree Jagannatha Temple in Puri, in summer (June or July, by the lunar calendar); in 2026, on 16 July. The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik in Bhubaneswar.
A beautiful symbol
The deity leaving the temple and coming into the street, where everyone can see and touch it, is a beautiful image: the sacred comes close to all, without distinction.
Source: Incredible India – Rath Yatra, Puri.
Image: G.-U. Tolkiehn, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5.
