The religious traditions of India are famous for their specialty and grandeur in the world. One of them is the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, which is taken out in Puri, Orissa, which is taken out to Ashada Shukla Dwitiya every year. This journey is not only a festival of reverence, but also a lively expression of the relationship between God and devotee, in which God himself comes among his devotees.
27 June 2025: This time auspicious day of Rath Yatra
This year the Jagannath Rath Yatra will be taken out on 27 June 2025, Friday, which is Ashadh Shukla Dwitiya Tithi. This day will remain in Punarvasu Nakshatra till 7:21 am and then in Pushya Nakshatra, which is considered extremely auspicious. On this day, millions of devotees in Puri Dham draw the huge chariots of God with ropes, they are absorbed in devotion while singing with drums and drums.
All three chariots are grand construction
In this Rath Yatra of Puri, Lord Jagannath along with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra also sits on the chariots. These chariots are constructed every year with new wood:
Chariot of Lord Jagannath – 45 feet high, 35 feet wide, 16 wheels
Balabhadra ji’s chariot – 44 feet high, 14 wheels
Subhadra ji’s chariot – 43 feet high, 12 wheels
These chariots are constructed by traditional craftsmen by a certain law, which is considered a virtuous work ‘chariot construction’.
Historical and mythological significance of the chariot journey
As Jyotishacharya Dr. Arvind Mishra says, this journey is mentioned in the Vaishnav section of Skanda Purana. Its major mythology is as follows:
1. Subhadra’s city tour
It is said that once Goddess Subhadra expressed his desire to visit the city from Lord Jagannath. Then God along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra visited the city on the chariot and went to the house of his aunt Gundicha Devi. There was a return after staying for 7 days. Based on this story, this grand journey is done every year.
2. Symbol of Lord Krishna’s visit to Mathura
According to another belief, the journey takes place in memory of Shri Krishna’s departure, when he went to Mathura from Vrindavan with Balaram and Subhadra.
3. Rath stop at the tomb of Salbeg
A unique and extremely emotional story is associated with Muslim devotee Salbig. It is said that Lord Jagannath once appeared in a dream to Salbig. The tomb of Salbeg is located on the Puri Rath Marg and even today the chariot of God stops automatically in front of that tomb, as if God is bowing to his devotee.
Statues that come out only once
The idols of the Puri Jagannath temple live in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple throughout the year and are brought out only on the day of Rath Yatra. This is the reason that lakhs of devotees reach Puri only to openly visit God this one day.
Travel to Gundicha Temple and then return
In the Rath Yatra, God reaches his aunt’s house Gundicha temple, where he stays for 7 days. After this, the reverse Rath Yatra is taken out, in which God returns to the Jagannath temple again. This entire event is experienced by deep spiritual celebration for devotees.
