The Puri Jagannath Yatra is one of the most auspicious yatras held every year in India, and all the devotees celebrate it with joy and fervor. This auspicious festival is celebrated in the month of Ashada, and it is one of the most important festivals for the Hindu community.
Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra is a unique yatra where a god comes out of the temple to meet his devotees. Lord Jagannath, who is said to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, lives in Puri Jagannath Mandir, one of the four great ‘Char Dham’ pilgrimage sites dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu.
It is a significant Hindu festival where the deities of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra (the brother of Lord Krishna), and Subhadra (the sister of Lord Krishna) are taken in a grand procession on chariots.
Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra Date
Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra dates are set according to the Hindu lunar calendar, but this festival is primarily observed in June and July. As a result, it is currently being celebrated today (June 20, 2023) in addition to Puri and many other Indian states.
The most famous Rath Yatra Festival is also celebrated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and it is considered to be the second biggest Rath Yatra in the country after the Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra.
Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023 Schedule
| Date | Day | Schedule |
| June 20, 2023 | Tuesday | Beginning of Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023 |
| June 24, 2023 | Saturday | Hera Panchami |
| June 27, 2023 | Tuesday | Sandhya Darshan |
| June 28, 2023 | Wednesday | Bahuda Yatra |
| June 29, 2023 | Thursday | Sunabesa |
| June 29, 2023 | Friday | Aadhar Pana |
| July 1, 2023 | Saturday | Niladri BJ |
How is Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra Performed?
The principal deities of Puri’s Jagannath shrine, Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra, along with the heavenly wheel Sudarshana Chakra, are ceremoniously carried to their chariots from the shrine.
Numerous worshippers pull three brightly colored chariots during the yatra up the two-mile-long, majestic avenue known as the bada danda to the Gundicha Temple. In order to honor the Muslim devotee Bhakta Salabega, Nandighosa waits close to his cremation while he makes his approach to Jagannatha’s chariot.
The three deities stop by the Mausi Maa Temple (Aunt’s residence) on their way back from the Gundicha Temple to receive an offering of the Poda Pitha, a unique kind of pancake thought to be the deity’s favorite. The deities stay there for seven days before going back to their home.
Where to Watch on TV & OTT
Lord Jagannath worshippers who are unable to go to Puri for the Rath Yatra can watch it live on several TV networks, including DD-Bharati, DD-Odia, and other Doordarshan channels. Devotees can also watch the auspicious yatra live on YouTube thanks to several channels that do so.
FAQs related to Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra
A. The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra started in Puri on June 20, 2023.
A. Rath Yatra is celebrated for 9 days.
A. The second-largest Rath Yatra is held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
A. Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is celebrated to commemorate the divine sibling’s journey from their paternal home to their aunt’s home.
