Rath Yatra 2025: Story Behind Jagannath’s Grand Chariot Journey Festival

Every year, the holy city of Puri in Odisha comes alive with chants, music, and celebrations as it hosts the spectacular Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of the oldest and biggest festivals in India. The festival marks the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, drawing countless devotees from across the globe.

When is Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025?

The Rath Yatra will be celebrated on June 27, 2025, aligning with the second day (Dwitiya Tithi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the Ashadha month of the Hindu lunar calendar. The sacred timings run from June 26, 1:24 PM, to June 27, 11:19 AM. The celebrations formally commence with the Snana Purnima ritual, a holy bathing of the deities, observed this year on June 12, 2025.

The mythical origins of the Rath Yatra

The Jagannath Rath Yatra is deeply rooted in ancient myths and devotional traditions, making it a unique event in the spiritual calendar. There are several intriguing stories surrounding its origin. Some of them, according to the official website, are:

In one version, Kansa, the tyrant uncle of Krishna and Balaram, called them to Mathura. The brothers left Gokul in a chariot, an event celebrated by devotees as the very first Rath Yatra.

Another popular belief is that after defeating Kansa, Krishna, Balaram, and Subhadra rode through Mathura in a chariot, granting darshan (divine sight) to their followers.

In Dwarika, a tradition emerged where Krishna and Balaram would take their sister Subhadra on a chariot ride through the city.

A more devotional story describes how Narada, the celestial sage, witnessed Krishna, Balaram, and Subhadra deeply engaged in the narrations of Krishna’s Leelas. He prayed for the trio to remain together forever, a blessing that came true and is celebrated every year.

Another captivating story links the festival to the Mahabharata. Here, Krishna serves as Arjuna’s charioteer during the Kurukshetra war, and this sacred role finds its reflection in the Rath Yatra celebrations.

The most intriguing belief is tied to Krishna’s mortal end. After Krishna’s cremation at Dwarika, Balaram and Subhadra tried to drown themselves in the ocean. Meanwhile, in faraway Puri, King Indradyumna received a divine message in a dream that Krishna’s holy relics (asthi) would wash up on the shore. The king was instructed to enshrine these relics within wooden statues of Krishna, Balaram, and Subhadra. Vishwakarma, the celestial architect, arrived disguised as an old carpenter and began carving the idols, warning the king not to disturb him until his work was complete. But when the king prematurely opened the door, the craftsman disappeared, leaving the statues unfinished, and it is these sacred, incomplete forms that reside in the Jagannath Temple today.

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