When is the Jagannath Rath Yatra in 2027?

The Jagannath Rath Yatra 2027 is on Monday, 5 July, on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya. The previous Rath Yatra was held on Thursday, 16 July 2026. Exact ritual timings in Puri are announced by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration.

What are the names of the three Rath Yatra chariots?

Lord Jagannath's chariot is Nandighosha (16 wheels), Balabhadra's is Taladhwaja (14 wheels) and Devi Subhadra's is Darpadalana (12 wheels). In the procession Taladhwaja leads, followed by Darpadalana, with Nandighosha last.

Why does Lord Jagannath "fall ill" before the Rath Yatra?

By tradition, after their bath with 108 pots of water on Snana Purnima the deities develop a fever. During this roughly two-week Anasara period the main darshan is closed and they are given herbal offerings. The custom reflects the devotional attitude of caring for the Lord as one would for a family member.

What is Chhera Pahanra?

Chhera Pahanra is the ritual in which the Gajapati King of Puri sweeps all three chariots with a gold-handled broom and sprinkles sandalwood water. It shows that before Lord Jagannath even the king is a humble servant. The rite is performed on the outward and return journeys.

How long do the deities stay at the Gundicha Temple?

The deities usually stay at the Gundicha Temple for about a week and return in the Bahuda Yatra around Ashadha Shukla Dashami, making the whole festival roughly nine days long. In 2026, for example, the Rath Yatra was on 16 July and the Bahuda Yatra on 24 July.

Can anyone take part in the Rath Yatra?

Yes. The Rath Yatra takes place on the public road, and anyone may take darshan and join in pulling the chariot ropes. Entry into the Puri temple itself follows its own traditional rules, which is why the Rath Yatra is seen as a special chance for everyone to see the Lord. Crowds are enormous, so follow the administration's instructions.

Jagannath Rath Yatra

The Puri chariot festival — the journey of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra to the Gundicha temple

The next stored date for Jagannath Rath Yatra is Monday, 5 July 2027. Check the location, tradition and sources below, and confirm local timings.

Editorial overview — updated: 10 October 2026

Year-specific details in this overview reflect that editorial update. Use the answer above and the date table below for the next stored observance.

The next Jagannath Rath Yatra is on Monday, 5 July 2027 (Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya) in Puri, Odisha; in 2026 it was held on Thursday, 16 July. On this day Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra ride three giant chariots from the Shree Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.

When is Jagannath Rath Yatra? — Dates

These are stored observance dates. Local timings and traditions can differ; each date includes its calendar references below.

Date	Occasion / Tithi
Monday, 5 July 2027 Upcoming Location and sources New Delhi calendar reference; Puri temple date confirmation pending Festival date in the cited calendar; check local convention Calendar source 1 Calendar source 2 Calendar source 3 Recorded source comparison for this date is pending.	Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya
Thursday, 16 July 2026 Location and sources New Delhi calendar reference; Puri temple date confirmation pending Festival date in the cited calendar; check local convention Calendar source 1 Calendar source 2 Recorded source comparison for this date is pending.	Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya

Why is Jagannath Rath Yatra celebrated?

Lord Jagannath is revered as a form of Vishnu, especially Krishna. The Shree Jagannath Temple at Puri is one of the four Char Dham shrines, where he is enshrined with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. Their wooden images, with large round eyes, are unique in Indian sacred art.

The Rath Yatra is the most famous of the rare occasions when the deities come out of the sanctum to give darshan to everyone — whatever their caste, community or faith. By tradition the three deities travel to the Gundicha Temple, regarded as the Lord's garden house, which is named after Queen Gundicha, wife of King Indradyumna, who is remembered in the temple's founding legend.

Devotees believe that pulling the chariot ropes, or even seeing the Lord on his chariot, brings great merit. In the Chhera Pahanra ritual the Gajapati King of Puri sweeps the chariots with a golden broom, a reminder that before God even a king is a servant.

The festival is the heart of Odia culture, and today chariot processions are also held in Ahmedabad, Kolkata and many other cities in India and around the world.

Puja Vidhi

1. Snana Purnima: On Jyeshtha Purnima the three deities are bathed with 108 pots of water. Tradition holds that they then "fall ill".

2. Anasara (Anavasara): For about a fortnight the main darshan is closed while the deities receive healing services; devotees worship painted pattachitra images instead.

3. Nabajaubana Darshan / Netrotsav: The day before the Rath Yatra the deities reappear in renewed, youthful form.

4. Rath Yatra (Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya): In the swaying "Pahandi" procession the deities are carried to their chariots, the Gajapati King performs Chhera Pahanra, and thousands of devotees pull the ropes to haul the chariots about three kilometres to the Gundicha Temple.

5. Stay at Gundicha and Hera Panchami: The deities stay at the Gundicha Temple for several days. On Hera Panchami, Goddess Lakshmi — piqued that her Lord has not returned — visits the Gundicha Temple, a playful episode much enjoyed by devotees.

6. Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha: Around Ashadha Shukla Dashami the deities ride back (Bahuda Yatra); the next day they are adorned in gold on their chariots (Suna Besha), followed by Adharapana and Niladri Bije, when they re-enter the main temple.

At home: Devotees who cannot travel to Puri worship an image of Jagannath or Krishna, offer khichdi or sweet bhog, sing the "Om Jai Jagdish Hare" aarti, and join a local Rath Yatra procession.

Rituals & Traditions

The three chariots: Nandighosha of Jagannath (16 wheels), Taladhwaja of Balabhadra (14 wheels) and Darpadalana of Subhadra (12 wheels); the chariots are built anew every year.
Pahandi Bije: amid gongs, conches and kirtan, the deities are carried from the temple to the chariots in a swaying procession.
Chhera Pahanra: the Gajapati King of Puri sweeps the chariots with a gold-handled broom and sprinkles sandalwood water.
Pulling the chariots: thousands of devotees haul the chariots by thick ropes along the Bada Danda (Grand Road) to the Gundicha Temple.
In 2026 the Rath Yatra was held on 16 July, the Bahuda (return) Yatra on 24 July and Suna Besha on 25 July.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Jagannath Rath Yatra in 2027?: The Jagannath Rath Yatra 2027 is on Monday, 5 July, on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya. The previous Rath Yatra was held on Thursday, 16 July 2026. Exact ritual timings in Puri are announced by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration.
What are the names of the three Rath Yatra chariots?: Lord Jagannath's chariot is Nandighosha (16 wheels), Balabhadra's is Taladhwaja (14 wheels) and Devi Subhadra's is Darpadalana (12 wheels). In the procession Taladhwaja leads, followed by Darpadalana, with Nandighosha last.
Why does Lord Jagannath "fall ill" before the Rath Yatra?: By tradition, after their bath with 108 pots of water on Snana Purnima the deities develop a fever. During this roughly two-week Anasara period the main darshan is closed and they are given herbal offerings. The custom reflects the devotional attitude of caring for the Lord as one would for a family member.
What is Chhera Pahanra?: Chhera Pahanra is the ritual in which the Gajapati King of Puri sweeps all three chariots with a gold-handled broom and sprinkles sandalwood water. It shows that before Lord Jagannath even the king is a humble servant. The rite is performed on the outward and return journeys.
How long do the deities stay at the Gundicha Temple?: The deities usually stay at the Gundicha Temple for about a week and return in the Bahuda Yatra around Ashadha Shukla Dashami, making the whole festival roughly nine days long. In 2026, for example, the Rath Yatra was on 16 July and the Bahuda Yatra on 24 July.
Can anyone take part in the Rath Yatra?: Yes. The Rath Yatra takes place on the public road, and anyone may take darshan and join in pulling the chariot ropes. Entry into the Puri temple itself follows its own traditional rules, which is why the Rath Yatra is seen as a special chance for everyone to see the Lord. Crowds are enormous, so follow the administration's instructions.