Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Date, Timings, ISKCON Celebrations & Full Schedule

Puri, Odisha – June 2025: One of India’s most grand and spiritually significant festivals, Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025, is all set to begin on Friday, June 27. Known as the Chariot Festival or Shree Gundicha Yatra, this sacred Hindu event attracts millions of devotees from across the world, especially in Puri, Odisha, where the heart of the celebration lies.

Let’s take a look at the dates, auspicious timings, ISKCON's celebration plans, and the full nine-day schedule of this vibrant and deeply devotional festival.

 

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 Date and Tithi Timings

According to Drik Panchang, the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 falls on June 27, which is a Friday. The day marks the Dwitiya Tithi of the Shukla Paksha (bright lunar phase) — considered spiritually powerful due to the ascending moonlight.

Here are the auspicious timings for observance:

• Dwitiya Tithi Begins: 1:24 PM on June 26, 2025
• Dwitiya Tithi Ends: 11:19 AM on June 27, 2025

Devotees begin their prayers and preparations during this window, leading up to the pulling of the grand chariots.

 

Significance of Jagannath Rath Yatra
 

The Rath Yatra is one of the oldest religious processions in India, believed to date back to between the 12th and 16th centuries. Deeply rooted in mythology, it holds various interpretations:

• Some believe it signifies Lord Krishna’s journey to visit his maternal aunt.
• Others connect the festival to King Indradyumna, the mythical founder of the Jagannath Temple.
• It gained prominence during the Gajapati dynasty in Odisha, becoming a symbol of state and spiritual unity.

At the heart of the festival are the three siblings:

• Lord Jagannath (a form of Krishna)
• Balabhadra (his brother)
• Subhadra (his sister)

These deities leave their abode at Jagannath Temple and travel nearly 3 kilometers to the Gundicha Temple, symbolizing a divine visit and a chance for devotees to witness their gods in the open.

 

Nine-Day Schedule of Rath Yatra 2025

 

The Rath Yatra is not a one-day event. It spans nine days, filled with rituals, devotion, and massive public participation. Here’s the day-wise breakdown:

1. Day 1 (June 27): Rath Yatra – The chariots are pulled from Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple.
2. Day 2–6 (June 28 to July 2): The deities rest at Gundicha Temple while devotees offer prayers.
3. Day 7 (July 3): Hera Panchami – A symbolic ceremony by Goddess Lakshmi, expressing displeasure at Lord Jagannath’s extended stay away from home.
4. Day 8 (July 4): Bahuda Yatra – The return journey of the deities back to Jagannath Temple.
5. Day 9 (July 5): Niladri Bijay – The deities re-enter the temple, concluding the Yatra.

Each day is significant and draws massive local and international attention.

 

 ISKCON Rath Yatra Celebrations

While Puri is the spiritual epicenter, ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) also organizes its own vibrant Rath Yatras in cities across the globe.

In Prayagraj, ISKCON’s Rath Yatra will take place on Sunday, June 29, 2025, to allow maximum participation.

• Time: Begins at 4:00 PM
• Route: Starts from Hira Halwai Crossing, moves through Subhash Chauraha and Hanuman Mandir, and concludes at KP Ground.
• Organizer: ISKCON Prayagraj
• Temple President: Achyuta Mohan Das confirmed the date, emphasizing that Sunday was chosen to help more devotees participate.

 

The ISKCON Rath Yatra typically features:

• Kirtan processions
• Bhakti dance
• Distribution of prasadam (blessed food)
• Spiritual discourses

 

These events are not only religious but also cultural, attracting youth and international Krishna devotees.

 

Why Rath Yatra Is So Popular

Jagannath Rath Yatra stands out for several reasons:

• Open Darshan: Unlike temple visits, the deities are taken outside, giving everyone equal access — breaking traditional caste, class, and social barriers.
• Mass Participation: Lakhs of people pull the massive wooden chariots, which are considered sacred acts of devotion.
• Global Presence: Rath Yatra is now celebrated in cities like London, New York, Toronto, and Melbourne, thanks to ISKCON’s global reach.

The scale, energy, and emotional devotion attached to Rath Yatra make it one of the most beloved Hindu festivals worldwide.

 

Cultural Impact

Apart from its religious significance, Rath Yatra boosts:

• Tourism in Odisha, particularly in Puri
• Local artisans, who spend months building the massive, decorated chariots
• Cultural awareness, as the rituals are often broadcast globally and covered by international media

It’s also a time when the state ensures better infrastructure, sanitation, security, and hospitality services for the huge influx of pilgrims.

Final Thoughts

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 is more than just a religious event. It's a celebration of faith, tradition, unity, and cultural pride. As the world watches the divine journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, millions of devotees will come together — both in person and virtually — to celebrate this age-old tradition that continues to inspire and unite hearts.

Whether you're in Puri or Prayagraj, or even following from another country, the spiritual energy of the Rath Yatra is sure to leave a deep and lasting impression.