Ratha Yatra Puri 2024: Know the Date, History and its Importance In Hindu Religion

Ratha Yatra Puri 2024: Ratha Yatra, is the Hindu festival which is celebrated in India to seek blessings from Lord Jagannath, the Lord Vishnu avatar. This festival is celebrated every year in the Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha. Along with Lord Jagannath, devotees also worship Subhadra, who is his sister, Sudarshana Chakra, which is Lord Jagannath’s weapon in the wooden shape, and Balabhadra, who is his brother. 

This festival is famous in other countries too like Nepal and Singapore. Jainism also follows this festival where Tirthankaras celebrate it. Ratha Yatra has great importance in various other religions throughout the world. With great celebrations and divine rituals Rath Yatra Puri is famous worldwide. 

In this blog, we will know what Ratha Yatra Puri is, its cultural importance and from where it began. Read further to know in detail about how devotees perform the Ratha Yatra. 

Rath Yatra Puri 2024 (What is Rath Yatra Festival)

The word Ratha Yatra includes two words of Sanskrit language. The word Ratha means cart or chariot, and the word Yatra means travel or journey. If we talk about the Odia language, the devotees call it Jatra. It is also known by the names of Dashavatara yatra, Gundicha yatra, and Navadina Yatra. 

In English it is known as the car festival of Odisha and Juggernaut. Ratha Yatra festival is celebrated in the Shukla Paksha on its 2nd day. 

During the festival of Ratha Yatra Puri, devotees worship Lord Jagannath at the Jagannath Temple in Puri during the Asadha month. They bring out the Yatra in the Bada Danda which is the main street located in Puri. They take the Yatra to Shri Gundicha Temple which allows everyone to view and take blessings from Lord Jagannath. 

Rath Yatra Puri Date and Time 2024 (When is Rath Yatra in 2024)

Ratha Yatra takes place on the second day of Ashadha month, or late June or early July, as per the Hindu calendar. ‘Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dritiya‘ is the name given to this day in ancient writings

As per the hindu religion, the festival of Ratha Yatra is celebrated in the month of Ashadha on its 2nd day. This is the reason it is also known by the name of ‘Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dritiya’. This year, the Ratha Yatra Puri festival will start on July 7th 2024 and the Yatra will begin on 29th June 2024. 

The below table shows all the details of Ratha Yatra Puri.

History and Story behind Ratha Yatra Puri 

The history of Ratha Yatra Puri, includes the divine connection of Lord Jagannath with his devotees. As per the hindu religion, this festival has been in tradition since ancient times. The story behind the Rath yatra puri connects with Goddess Subhadra, who is Lord Jagannath’s sister. She expressed her will to visit Puri city and this made it happen. 

Devotees believe that during this, Lord Jgannath with his brother and sister visited the Gundicha temple. After staying there for a while, they returned back to what is now known as the Jagannath temple. 

This temple was built in the 12th century, by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva. It is believed that the Ratha Yatra Puri Festival is celebrated from that time. 

Importance of Rath Yatra Puri (Why is Rath Yatra Puri Celebrated)

Everyone is waiting for the Lord Jagannath Ratha Yatra to begin this year. The preparations for this festival; along with the rituals and more, are on its way. If we discuss the importance of Ratha Yatra Puri, then the spirituality and divinity of Lord Jagannath says it all. Every year, a number of Lord Krishna devotees gather and celebrate the Ratha Yatra.

Devotees believe that those who pull the rope which is connected to the chariots, gets the blessings of Lord Jagannath and he gets free from all the sins. In the hindu religion, the Jagannath Ratha Yatra Puri has great importance and cultural beliefs. Lord Jagannath is known as the Lord of the Universe. 

What happens during Ratha Yatra? (How Ratha Yatra is celebrated)

The Ratha Yatra is followed by many devotees. They pull the chariot as it believes that it brings blessings of Lord Jagannath to them. Devotees then distribute Poda Pitha as prasad to everyone. The great thing here is that on the Ratha Yatra 3rd day, the bhaktas of Lord Jagannath perform a play where Lord Vishnu meets Maa Lakshmi. 

All the three idols are taken on the chariot. They are bathed with around 108 water buckets. Such a ceremony is known as Snana Purnima. Before the Yatra begins, devotees keep the idols in isolation during the ceremony known as Ansara. Devotees believe that idols are unwell during this time. 

How To Reach Jagannath Puri?

There are various better ways to reach Jagannath Puri to see the great celebration of Ratha Yatra Puri festival. You can reach there by flight, road, and Train. 

By Flight – The nearest Airport is Biju Patnaik Airport located in Puri city. It covers a total distance of 6o kilometres. You can book a taxi to reach here from the Airport. 

By Train – There are direct trains connected to Puri city from various cities in India. The nearest railway station to Puri is Puri Railway Station. 

By Road – There are bus services specially made during the Ratha yatra festival. Coming through cars and taxis are also an option. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rath Yatra?

The word Ratha Yatra includes two words of Sanskrit language. The word Ratha means cart or chariot, and the word Yatra means travel or journey. If we talk about the Odia language, the devotees call it Jatra. It is also known by the names of Dashavatara yatra, Gundicha yatra, and Navadina Yatra. 

When is Rath Yatra in 2024?

As per the hindu religion, the festival of Ratha Yatra is celebrated in the month of Ashadha on its 2nd day. This is the reason it is also known by the name of ‘Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dritiya’. This year, the Ratha Yatra Puri festival will start on July 7th 2024 and the Yatra will begin on 29th June 2024. 

Which month is Puri Rath Yatra?

Rath Yatra takes place on the second day of Ashadha month, or late June or early July, as per the Hindu calendar. ‘Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya’ is the name given to this day in ancient writings.

What happens during Ratha Yatra?

All the three idols are taken on the chariot. They are bathed with around 108 water buckets. Such a ceremony is known as Snana Purnima. Before the Yatra begins, devotees keep the idols in isolation during the ceremony known as Ansara. Devotees believe that idols are unwell during this time. 

How To Reach Jagannath Puri?

There are various better ways to reach Jagannath Puri to see the great celebration of Ratha Yatra Puri festival. You can reach there by flight, road, and Train.