Jagannath Rath Yatra will fall on Thursday, 16 July 2026, and once again the streets of Puri will come alive with conch shells, chants, and the slow creak of giant wooden wheels. This is one of the most awaited festivals in the Hindu calendar, and it marks the day when Bhagwan Jagannath leaves the Jagannath temple in Puri, Odisha along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra and begins the sacred journey to the Gundicha Temple, which is around 3km away. For nine days, three massive chariots are pulled by millions of devotees along the Grand Road.
The story behind Jagannath Rath Yatra starts with a king called Indradyumna. He once dreamed of a divine form named Neel Madhav, an early form of Bhagwan Vishnu. He wanted to find this deity so badly that he sent his purohits to search out for him. But before the purohits could reach the place, the form disappeared. Upon getting this news, the king was deeply distressed. He vowed to fast until his death if he could not serve Bhagwan again. Moved by this devotion, Bhagwan Vishnu appeared in the king's dream, radiant and clear, and gave him specific instructions to follow.
Bhagwan Vishnu told the king that a giant, fragrant log of wood (Daru-Brahman) would wash up on the shore, and idols carved from that wood would carry his divine presence. A divine craftsman named Vishwakarma took up the task. But he had one condition. He had to work alone, behind closed doors, with no one watching. The king tried to wait, but curiosity got the better of him, and he opened the doors too soon. Vishwakarma vanished the moment light hit the room. What was left behind were unfinished idols, with round stumps for hands and big, wide eyes with no detail.
These are the very idols we worship today, exactly as they are. Nothing was fixed. Nothing was polished. Yet devotees believe these unfinished idols perfectly reflect Bhagwan Vishnu’s divine presence. For devotees, Bhagwan does not need a perfect form to receive our devotion.
Normally we go to God. We walk up the steps, stand in line, and wait for one glimpse. Jagannath Rath Yatra flips this completely, because here Bhagwan comes out to bless us instead. He rides down the street so anyone can stand near him, and it doesn't matter whether you are rich or poor. That's the whole idea behind the festival. Jagannath Rath Yatra reminds us that before Bhagwan, everyone is equal and equally worthy of his blessings.
Before the chariots move even an inch, the Gajapati King of Puri does something remarkable. He picks up a golden broom and sweeps the road himself. This ritual is called Chhera Pahanra. A king sweeping the ground like a servant tells everyone watching that in front of God, there's no king and no beggar, just devotees.
Next comes Pahandi. The deities are carried from the temple to their chariots, with music playing and voices chanting all around. Every year, fresh chariots are built by hand, no machines, no nails, just old carpentry skills passed down for generations. Lord Jagannath rides the Nandighosha, Balabhadra takes the Taladhwaja, and Subhadra rides the Darpadalana. Thick ropes are tied to each one, and thousands of hands grab hold to pull. Even a single touch of the rope is believed to bring blessings, which is why young and old alike push through the crowd just to be part of it.
The chariots finally reach the Gundicha Temple, said to be the home of the deities' aunt, and the Lord stays there with his siblings for nine days. Then comes Bahuda Yatra, the return journey home, bringing Jagannath Rath Yatra to a close.
Not everyone can make it to Puri for Jagannath Rath Yatra. But you don't need to stand on the Grand Road to experience the spirit of this festival. All you need to do is:
At the end of the day, Bhagwan Jagannath doesn't ask for a grand celebration. He only asks for devotion, regardless of where you are!
The grand Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 starts on Thursday, July 16, 2026. It's one of the oldest festivals in Puri, and lakhs of devotees gather there every year for it.
Snana Purnima happens before the Rath Yatra begins. On this day, the deities are bathed with 108 pots of sacred water. It's the first big ritual of the whole festival season, and it marks the start of all the preparations.
This period is called Anavasara. After the ceremonial bath on Snana Purnima, Bhagwan Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are believed to fall ill and need rest. For about fifteen days, they stay out of public view. Regular darshan only resumes once the Rath Yatra begins.
The chariots move along the Grand Road, known as Bada Danda, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.