Rath Yatra 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• Devotees of Lord Jagannath: Men and women of all communities observe this day to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
• Families Seeking Grace: Households pray for peace, well-being, and the liberation (Moksha) that is said to come from seeing the Lord on his chariot.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Preparation: Bathe early, ideally during Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn hours), and take the Sankalp before starting the day.
• Puja Muhurat: The main puja is done in the morning, before the chariots are drawn in the afternoon. Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Chariot Procession: The chariots are pulled in the afternoon in Puri; watching or listening to the procession is part of the day's observance.
• Evening Aarti: Aarti after sunset, followed by the family partaking in the prasad.

About the Festival

Rath Yatra is the grand chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, celebrated across India, most famously in Puri in Odisha. It takes place on the Dwitiya (second day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha.

The Katha (Story of Lord Jagannath and Gundicha)

Long ago, King Indradyumna of Odisha was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. In a dream, the Lord told him to find a sacred log of wood floating on the sea, and to have an idol of the Lord made from it. The king found the log and called for Vishwakarma, the divine architect, who came disguised as an old carpenter.

The carpenter said to the king: "I will carve the idols, but I must work alone, behind closed doors, and no one may disturb me until I am done." The king agreed. After fifteen days, Queen Gundicha grew worried when she heard no sound from inside, and she persuaded the king to open the doors.

The carpenter had vanished, and the idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra were left unfinished, without hands and feet. The king grieved, but a divine voice assured him that the Lord wished to be worshipped in this form, and the idols were installed in the temple. The Lord promised that every year he would come out to visit the Gundicha Temple, the home of the queen, with his brother and sister, for nine days. Since that day, devotees have gathered every year to pull the chariots in the Rath Yatra, believing that a sight of the Lord on his chariot washes away sins.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Idol: A picture or idol of Lord Jagannath with Balabhadra and Subhadra, or a small model of the chariot
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Chandan (sandalwood paste), and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Incense: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Dhoop or incense sticks
• Sacred Water Container: A Kalash filled with clean water, with mango leaves and a coconut
• Food Offerings (Bhog): Khichdi, Kheer, Mal Pua, rice and Dalma, fruits, and sweets
• Devotional Accessories: Fresh flowers, Tulsi leaves, a flower garland, and Kalava (sacred thread)

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes (preferably yellow or white).
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Lord Jagannath, Master of the Universe, today I observe Rath Yatra with a pure heart. Bless me and my family with your grace, peace, and devotion."
3. Many devotees keep a light fast or take only sattvic food through the day, according to the family's tradition.

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar

1. Clean the northeastern corner (Ishan Kone) of your home or the puja room.
2. Place the picture or idol of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra on a wooden stool (Chowki) covered with a clean yellow or red cloth.
3. Place the Kalash filled with water, with mango leaves and a coconut on top, next to the altar.

Step 3: Performing the Morning Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and incense in front of the deities.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Chandan, Roli, and Akshat to Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
3. Offering Flowers & Tulsi: Offer fresh flowers, a garland, and Tulsi leaves.
4. Offering Bhog: Place the cooked Bhog, such as Khichdi and Kheer, before the deities.

Step 4: Reciting the Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the story of Lord Jagannath and Gundicha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After completing the story, offer the grains and petals at the feet of the deities.

Step 5: Aarti and Chariot Darshan

1. Perform the Jagannath Aarti using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns and chanting "Jai Jagannath".
2. Watch the Rath Yatra procession on television or in person, and bow in respect when the chariots are pulled. Children may pull a small toy chariot at home.
3. Offer a final bow (Pranam) and pray for the grace of the Lord.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing Prasad

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the Bhog as prasad among family members, neighbours, and children.
3. Close the day by partaking in the prasad and a simple sattvic meal.