About Rath Yatra
Last updated:
- 🙏 Deity: Lord Jagannath (Krishna/Vishnu), Balabhadra, Subhadra
- 📅 Rath Yatra 2026 date:
- ⏳ Duration: 9 days (Rath Yatra to Bahuda Yatra)
- 🌙 Lunar month: Ashadha
- 🗺️ Celebrated in: Odisha (Puri), West Bengal, Jharkhand, worldwide ISKCON temples
Rath Yatra, the Festival of Chariots, is one of the oldest and most spectacular religious festivals in the world. Celebrated on the second day (Dwitiya) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Ashadha month, it marks the annual journey of Lord Jagannath — a form of Lord Vishnu or Krishna — from his temple in Puri to the Gundicha temple, accompanied by his siblings Balabhadra (elder brother) and Subhadra (sister). The three deities ride on enormous, elaborately decorated wooden chariots that are freshly constructed every year by skilled craftsmen.
The Puri Rath Yatra in Odisha is the most famous, drawing millions of pilgrims and tourists from across India and the world. The main chariot of Lord Jagannath, called Nandighosa, stands approximately 14 metres (45 feet) tall with 16 wheels, while Balabhadra's chariot Taladhwaja and Subhadra's chariot Darpadalana are slightly smaller. The pulling of these chariots by devotees using thick ropes is considered an act of supreme devotion — even touching the ropes is believed to bestow the merit of a hundred sacrifices (yajnas). The 14th-century traveller Ibn Battuta and the Vaishnava saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu both witnessed and participated in this great festival.
The deities stay at the Gundicha temple for nine days, after which the return journey — called Bahuda Yatra — brings them back to the main Jagannath Temple. During the return journey, the chariots halt at the Mausi Ma temple where the deities are offered Poda Pitha (a traditional Odishan cake). Rath Yatra is also celebrated in many cities across India and internationally by ISKCON communities as the Chariot Festival, carrying the message of Lord Krishna's universal accessibility to all, regardless of caste or creed.
Significance of Rath Yatra
Rath Yatra holds extraordinary spiritual, social, and cultural significance that has made it one of India's most iconic festivals.
Deities worshipped on Rath Yatra
Follow the links to explore each deity’s mantras, stories, and temples on Temples.bio.
Lord Krishna
Lord Jagannath is a form of Lord Krishna, the presiding deity of Rath Yatra
The Preserver of the Universe — the all-pervading Supreme Being who descends to Earth in divine avatars whenever righteousness declines and evil rises.
View deity →
Lord Vishnu
Jagannath is also worshipped as an avatar of Vishnu in Vaishnava tradition
The Preserver of the Universe — the all-pervading Supreme Being who descends to Earth in divine avatars whenever righteousness declines and evil rises.
View deity →Lord Jagannath is the presiding deity of Rath Yatra. Jagannath is worshipped as a form of Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna in the Vaishnava tradition, though his origins may include pre-Vedic tribal traditions of Odisha. His distinctive iconography — large circular eyes, no clearly defined arms or legs, and a half-finished wooden form — is said to represent Brahman in its most universally accessible form. The wooden idols are renewed every twelve years in the Nabakalebara ceremony.
Lord Balabhadra, the elder brother of Jagannath, represents Balarama (Krishna's elder brother) or Shiva in different theological interpretations. He rides the chariot Taladhwaja adorned with white and blue decorations. Balabhadra embodies strength, protection, and dharmic authority.
Goddess Subhadra, sister of Jagannath and Balabhadra, is identified with Yoga Maya or Parvati. She rides the chariot Darpadalana adorned with red and black colours. Her presence completes the divine trinity that represents creation, preservation, and dissolution.
Sudarshana, the divine discus of Lord Vishnu, also accompanies the procession as a fourth element, riding on Balabhadra's chariot. Together, the three deities and Sudarshana represent the complete cosmic order under the benevolent gaze of Lord Jagannath.
How to celebrate Rath Yatra 2026
How to Observe and Participate in Rath Yatra:
1. If visiting Puri, arrive early — the chariot procession typically begins in the late morning after rituals; millions attend so plan for crowds.
2. At home or in your city, wake up early, bathe, and set up a puja altar with images of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
3. Offer yellow flowers, tulsi, coconut, bananas, and seasonal fruits to the deities.
4. Prepare or offer Mahaprasad — the sacred food of Lord Jagannath (rice, dal, vegetables cooked without onion and garlic) — as it is considered supremely purifying.
5. Chant the Jagannath Ashtakam, Hare Krishna Mahamantra, or "Jai Jagannath" repeatedly throughout the day.
6. If a local Rath Yatra procession is organised in your city (ISKCON and Vaishnava organisations conduct these worldwide), participate in pulling the chariot rope.
7. Read or listen to the stories of Lord Jagannath from the Skanda Purana (Utkal Khanda) or Jagannath Charitramrta.
8. Perform Annadaan — donate food, especially Mahaprasad-style cooked food — to pilgrims and the needy.
9. On Bahuda Yatra (the return journey, nine days later), repeat the puja and celebrate the Lord's return.
10. Fast or observe dietary restrictions (no onion, garlic) throughout the day as a mark of devotion.
Rituals & regional traditions
Spiritual benefits
Mantras & sacred chants
Mantra 1 — Jagannath Ashtakam (Opening Verse):
Sanskrit: कदाचित् कालिन्दी-तट-विपिन-सङ्गीत-तरलो मुदाभीरी-नारी-वदन-कमला-स्वाद-मधुपः। रमा-शम्भु-ब्रह्मामर-पति-गणेशार्चित-पदो जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन-पथ-गामी भवतु मे॥
Transliteration: Kadachit Kalindi-tata-vipina-sangita-taralo Muda-bhiri-nari-vadana-kamala-svada-madhupah, Rama-shambhu-brahhamara-pati-ganesharchita-pado Jagannathah Svami Nayana-patha-gami Bhavatu Me
Meaning: May Lord Jagannath, who once played his enchanting music on the banks of the Yamuna, who tasted the lotus-faces of the Gopi women with joy, and whose feet are worshipped by Lakshmi, Shiva, Brahma, Indra, and Ganesha — may he appear on the path of my eyes.
Mantra 2 — Hare Krishna Mahamantra:
Sanskrit: हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे। हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे॥
Transliteration: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Meaning: O Lord Krishna, O Lord Rama, O Divine Energy — please engage me in your service. This mahamantra cleanses the mirror of the mind and extinguishes the fire of material suffering.
Mantra 3 — Jagannath Invocation:
Sanskrit: ॐ नमो भगवते जगन्नाथाय
Transliteration: Om Namo Bhagavate Jagannathaya
Meaning: I bow to Lord Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Rath Yatra 2026 — FAQs
Rath Yatra 2026 falls on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, on the Dwitiya tithi of Ashadha Shukla Paksha. Bahuda Yatra (return journey) falls nine days later on June 25, 2026.
The most famous Rath Yatra is celebrated at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. It attracts millions of pilgrims every year and is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
Rath Yatra symbolises Lord Jagannath's compassion in coming out of his temple to give darshan to all devotees regardless of caste or creed. Pulling the chariot rope is believed to grant the merit of a hundred yajnas.
The three chariots are: Nandighosa (Lord Jagannath's chariot, 16 wheels), Taladhwaja (Lord Balabhadra's chariot, 14 wheels), and Darpadalana (Goddess Subhadra's chariot, 12 wheels).
Bahuda Yatra is the return chariot procession, nine days after Rath Yatra, when the deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra return from Gundicha temple to the main Jagannath Temple in Puri.
ISKCON temples worldwide celebrate Rath Yatra with decorated floats, Hare Krishna kirtans, and distribution of free Mahaprasad. Large Rath Yatras are held in Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, London, New York, and Toronto.
Yes, Rath Yatra is one of the most inclusive Hindu festivals. Devotees of all faiths are welcome to pull the chariot rope and receive Mahaprasad. Lord Jagannath is considered the Lord of the Universe, welcoming all.
Mahaprasad is the sacred food cooked in the Jagannath Temple kitchen, considered the most purifying prasad in Hinduism. It is cooked in earthen pots over wood fire and includes rice, dal, and vegetable preparations without onion or garlic.
