Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 Date: When is Jagannath Rath Yatra, know date, importance and customs

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 Date: Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of the major and special festivals of India. It is also called Rath Yatra or Shri Gundicha Yatra, which is celebrated with great pomp especially in Puri, Orissa. The festival of Jagannath Rath Yatra is dedicated to Jagannath, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. It is also one of the biggest religious events in the world, in which people not only from India but also from abroad participate.

The festival of Jagannath Rath Yatra is a sacred ritual in which Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra ride in decorated chariots to their aunt’s house. Every year a large number of devotees participate in this annual yatra and take the chariot from Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple.

There is a religious belief that the luck of the person who participates in Jagannath Rath Yatra improves. According to Skanda Purana, the person who goes to Gundicha chanting the name of Lord Jagannath during the Rath Yatra, becomes free from the cycle of births. According to the Panchang, Jagannath Rath Yatra is taken out every year on the second date of Shukla Paksha of Ashadh month. Let us know when the festival of Rath Yatra will be celebrated in this year 2026.

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 Date (When is Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026)

Jagannath Rath Yatra is celebrated on the second day of Shukla Paksha of Ashadh month. However, according to the Gregorian calendar, the date varies every year and it generally falls in the month of June-July. This year Jagannath Rath Yatra will be celebrated on Thursday, 16 July 2026. According to the Panchang, it will start from 11:50 am on July 15 and Dwitiya Tithi will end on July 16 at 08:52 am. The festival will be celebrated on 16th July in recognition of Udayatithi.

Importance of Jagannath Rath Yatra (Jagannath Rath Yatra Mahatva)

There are many stories prevalent about how and when the Jagannath Rath Yatra started. However, it is considered to have started between the 12th to 16th century. The most important significance of this festival is that the festival of Rath Yatra increases social sentiment and unity. In the grand event of Rath Yatra, a large number of people come together and celebrate the festival.

Jagannath Rath Yatra rituals

chhera ritual- The chariot of Lord Jagannath goes from Jagannath temple to Gundicha temple. But there is a tradition of Chhera ritual before the journey. In this, the Maharaja of Orissa cleans the chariot with a golden broom. This process is called Chhera ritual.

Three chariots are made- During Rath Yatra, not one but three chariots are made. The name of the chariot of Lord Jagannath is Nandighosh. This is the largest red colored chariot with 16 wheels. The name of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot is Taladhwaj which is made of green, blue and red colors and it has 14 wheels. The name of the chariot of Goddess Subhadra is Darpadalan which is red and black in color and has 12 wheels.

The festival lasts for nine days– Jagannath Rath Yatra is not just a one day event, but it is a festival lasting for about nine days. Lord Jagannath rests at Gundicha temple for a few days and then returns back to his main temple during ‘Bahuda Yatra’. Bhajan-kirtan, worship and a huge fair are organized throughout this festival.

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