Rath Yatra 2026 is celebrated on 16 July 2026 on Thursday. The festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath celebrates the annual visit from Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Mata temple.
Rath Yatra 2026
Rath Yatra is one of the most famous and grand Hindu festivals. The Jagannath Rath Yatra is also known as the Chariot festival or car festival. It is the oldest and largest Hindu Chariot festival. The sacred festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu or Krishna. The festival celebrates the journey of the Three Gods, Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balbhadra, and his sister Devi Subhadra from Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple in Puri, Odisha and stay there for 7 days.
In this festival, three wooden Chariots (Rath), which are very well decorated for Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, are pulled through the streets of Puri by thousands of devotees to the Gundicha Temple. All the school, colleges, offices, band are closed on the event of Rath Yatra in Odisha.
Rath Yatra 2026 Date
Every year Puri Rath Yatra is observed on the month of Ashada as per the Hindu calendar. Generally, in June or July. This year, Rath Yatra 2026 is celebrated on 16 July 2026, Thursday and Bahuda Yatra 2026 (return Yatra) will fall on 24 July 2026, Friday. It is a very massive and grand annual festival of Odisha. Celebrated from 9 days from the start of Rath Yatra to Bahuda Yatra (returning)
| Event | Date |
| Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 | 16 July 2026 |
| Bahuda Yatra 2026 | 24 July 2026 |
- Dwitiya Tithi Begins – 11:50 AM on Jul 15, 2026
- Dwitiya Tithi Ends – 08:52 AM on Jul 16, 2026
- Puri rathyatra 2026 – 16 July 2026 on Thursday
- Bahuda Yatra 2026 – 24 July 2026 on Friday
Also, Check
Independence Day 2026
Raksha Bandhan 2026
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 Rituals and Celebration
Puri Rath Yatra is most popular among all community in India. The main attraction of Jagannath Yatra is pulling of giant wooden chariots by thousand of devotees. It is believed that pulling the Rope of chariotes (rath) is a direct service to Lord and to help remove sins.
The celebration and rituals of the auspicious festival start very early from the date of Akshay tritiya. From this day the construction of new wooden chariots begins. On Snan Purnima the priest bathe deities with 108 chords of water from golden well. Deities are isolated for 15 days from snan Purnima. This ritual known as Anavasara. A day before Rath Yatra 2026 called Gundicha Marjana. On this day the temple are cleaned.
On 16 July 2026 the main day Rath Yatra 2026 begin. The wooden items of Lord Jagannath, balbhadra and Subhadra carried out of the temple with drums, chants and music. And the newly built chariots our clean with golden broom. After that the three idols were takes placed in there Rath. Thousands of devotees Hold and pull the thick rope of the rath and pull towards Gundicha Temple.
Rath Yatra 2026 Significance
Jagannath Yatra 2026 is very auspicious festival of faith, deep devotion and joy. The Grand chariots creates spiritual atmosphere and devotees completely surrender to him. On this occasion massive participation of devotees are seen beside any caste, religion or race. It make one of the most unique festival in India. Jagannath Rath Yatra is the time when gods come out to the temple to meet their devotees.
FAQs on Rath Yatra 2026
When did Rath Yatra in 2026?
This year Rath Yatra 2026 is celebrated on 16 July 2026 which is on Thursday.
What is Jagannath Rath Yatra?
Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of the most famous and oldest Hindu chariots of India. The festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath and the main celebration observed in Puri, Odisha.
Why is Rath Yatra celebrated?
Rath Yatra is celebrated every year to mark the journey of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and his sister Subhadra from Jagannath temple to Gundicha Temple.
What is the most famous Rath Yatra held?
The most famous Rath Yatra is held in Puri in the Indian State of Odisha.