Jagannath Rath Yatra 2027रथ यात्रा
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2027 is on Monday, July 5, 2027. The Puri yatra, the three chariots, anasara, the chhera pahara of the king and why the deities leave the temple.
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The story of Jagannath Rath Yatra
Once a year the deities of Puri leave their temple. Jagannath, lord of the universe, with his brother Balabhadra and his sister Subhadra, come down from the ratna simhasana and are carried out to three enormous chariots, and the road pulls them the three kilometres to the Gundicha temple, the house of their aunt. It is the one day in the year when the darshan needs no temple, no priest and no permission: the deity comes out to the street, and anyone at all may pull the rope.
Before the yatra the deities fall ill: after the Jyeshtha Purnima snan of one hundred and eight pots of water they are kept in anasara, out of sight, for a fortnight and treated with herbs, and only then do they come out with new eyes painted. On the yatra morning the Gajapati king of Puri, the wealthiest man in the procession, sweeps the chariot floor with a golden broom, the chhera pahara, because before Jagannath there is no rank. That gesture is the whole festival.
How Jagannath Rath Yatra is celebrated
| The three chariots | Nandighosha for Jagannath, Taladhwaja for Balabhadra and Darpadalana for Subhadra, rebuilt from new wood every year. |
| Pulling the rope | devotees pull the chariots by hand; touching the rope is held to free one from many rebirths. |
| Chhera pahara | the king sweeps the chariot with a golden broom, a public statement that all are equal before the lord. |
| At home | where there is no yatra, Jagannath is offered khichdi and poda pitha, and the katha is read. |
Puri holds the original, with lakhs on the Bada Danda; Ahmedabad takes out one of the largest yatras outside Odisha; and ISKCON has carried the chariots to London, New York and dozens of other cities, so the festival is now kept on several continents.
Frequently asked questions
When is Jagannath Rath Yatra in 2027?
Rath Yatra is on Monday, July 5, 2027, the Dwitiya of the bright fortnight of Ashadha.
Why do the deities leave the temple?
So that darshan needs nothing: no entry, no priest, no standing. For these days Jagannath is on the open road where anyone at all, of any faith or none, can see him and pull his chariot.
What is anasara?
After the Snana Purnima bath of one hundred and eight pots, the deities are said to fall ill and are kept away from view for about a fortnight, treated with herbal offerings, before appearing again with freshly painted eyes.
What is chhera pahara?
The Gajapati king of Puri sweeps the chariot platform with a golden broom before the pulling begins, showing that in front of Jagannath the king and the poorest devotee stand in the same place.
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Dates are verified against authoritative Panchang sources (Drik Panchang, New Delhi). Traditions vary by family and region; for muhurat and puja vidhi please also consult your family panditji.