Ratha Yatra / Sri Gundicha Yatra (chariot festival)
Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra (on three chariots)
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Sri Gundicha Yatra — the world-famous Ratha Yatra of Puri. Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra travel on three towering chariots from the main temple to the Gundicha Mandir, accessible to all. The festival lasts 9 days, with the return Bahuda Yatra on the 9th day.
Dates 2026–2027
Mantra
जय जगन्नाथ! जय बलभद्र! जय सुभद्रा! ॐ श्री जगन्नाथाय नमः।
Jaya Jagannath! Jaya Balabhadra! Jaya Subhadra! Om Sri Jagannathaya namah
Victory to Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra — salutations to Sri Jagannath who comes out on the chariot to give darshan to all.
How to recite
On Asadha Shukla Dwitiya the three deities are brought out of the temple in the Pahandi Bije procession and placed on three towering wooden chariots — Nandighosha (Jagannath, 16 wheels, red & yellow), Taladhwaja (Balabhadra, 14 wheels, red & green), Darpadalan (Subhadra, 12 wheels, red & black). The Gajapati king performs Chhera Pahanra — sweeping the chariots with a golden broom — emphasising that all are equal before the Lord. Devotees pull the ropes (the act itself is moksha-giving) and the chariots travel ~3 km to the Gundicha Mandir (Lord's aunt's house). Pull the rope or watch the live darshan; eat mahaprasad; chant 'Jay Jagannath' loudly through the day.
Benefits
Ratha Yatra is the only day each year Lord Jagannath leaves the temple to give darshan to all — including those of every caste, faith and station who cannot otherwise enter. Pulling the ropes of the chariot is said to wash away the sins of many lifetimes; even seeing the chariots in motion grants liberation.
✦ Special Note
Per Drik Panchang. Asadha Shukla Dwitiya / Ratha Yatra 2026: July 16. 2027: July 6. Pulling the chariot ropes is open to all devotees regardless of caste or faith — Puri's most universal seva.
Foods Allowed
Foods to Avoid
Meal Idea
Mahaprasad thali (or its replica) — rice, dali, dalma, besara, kanika sweet rice, khaja and rasagola.
Related vrats
Prioritising the same tradition and category, with related tradition or family entries when fewer than six exist.
- Adhara Pana (sweet drink offering on the chariots) — July 26, 2026Same tradition and category
- Akshaya Tritiya / Chandan Yatra Begins (21-day sandalwood festival) — April 20, 2026Same tradition and category
- Anavasara (15-day seclusion / no public darshan) — June 1, 2026Same tradition and category
- Anla Navami (Amla Navami at the Jagannath temple) — October 19, 2026Same tradition and category
- Bahuda Yatra (return chariot procession) — July 24, 2026Same tradition and category
- Hera Panchami (Lakshmi seeks Jagannath at Gundicha) — July 20, 2026Same tradition and category
Get a reminder before the next Ratha Yatra / Sri Gundicha Yatra (chariot festival)
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