Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023: Date, Meaning, Story, Tithi, Rituals, & Significance

Jagannath Puri Ratha Yatra 2023: Date, Time, History and Significance

Jagannatha Puri Rath Yatra Festival 2022 Jagannath Rath Yatra festival is falling on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. It is one of the largest and the most-celebrated festivals of India that happens at the renowned Jagannatha Temple in Puri, Odisha where millions of devotees arrive to take darshan of Lord Jagannatha. The festival date is determined in line with the Hindu Lunar Calendar. It generally falls on Dwitiya Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Ashada month (June-July).

Lord Jagannatha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is revered by the Vaishnavas (followers of Vaishnava sect). The word Jagannatha means Lord (Natha) of the Universe (Jaga). He is worshipped along with His brother Balabhadra and His sister Devi Subhadra. The reason why Jagannatha temple is visited by millions of devotees is that it is located in Puri which one of the four Hindu pilgrimages called as Chara Dhama. It is said followers of Hinduism must visit these four pilgrimages once in a lifetime so that all their sings get washed off and they attain ‘mukti’ liberation from the pangs of the material world.

The Lord’s nature is such that He has unlimited qualities confirmed by all the Vedic scriptures as well as scriptures of other religions as well. In the Bhagavad Gita (7:6), the Lord Himself shares the secret about His transcendental nature: Of all that is material and all that is spiritual in this world, know for certain that I am both its origin and dissolution. All the energies of the Lord are nirguna, that which is beyond the gunas (modes) of material nature; spiritual. Everything visible is His quality, His energy. Therefore material manifestations such as earth, stone and wood all emanate from Him. The Gita describes these manifestations as the Lord’s external or inferior energy. However when the materials such as stone, wood are combined to create Pratima or Murtis (idols) the Supreme Lord, they become divine being no longer of the inferior nature. The Lord Jagganath’s idols used in the Rath (Cart) Festival are all divine.

Prayers and Japa during the Festival:
Since Lord Jagannath is a divine form of Lord Vishnu, one should offer prayers to the Lord by being a part of the Yatra. As a devotee, you can help pull the chariots. If visiting the Ratha Yatra is not possible, one can simply chant on the Tulasi beads at home in the early morning and remember the Lord in the mind. Also, you can wear a Nineteen Mukhi Rudraksha bead which is ruled Lord Narayana (Vishnu) along with Seven Mukhi Rudraksha bead ruled by Goddess Lakshmi, wife of Lord Jagannatha who visits Gundicha temple in search of Lord Jagannatha after four days of the Yatra. You can also wear a Ten Mukhi Rudraksha bead as this Rudraksha bead is ruled by Lord Krishna (Vishnu). Remembering the Lord with these Rudraksha malas is as auspicious as praying to the Lord in temples. However one should be a part of the Ratha Yatra and seek blessings of the Lord by helping pull the carts.

Scroll Down to read more

Shop Now for Energized Products

Vishnu Vishwarupam Brass Idol

INR 16,400 | USD 205.00

Product Code : BR56

Add To Cart
Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam Path

INR 6,901 | USD 86.26

Product Code : PY112

Add To Cart
10 Mukhi Rudra Ring

INR 5,430 | USD 67.88

Product Code : RST193

Add To Cart
Vishnu Lakshmi in Blue Sapphire - 1471 carats

INR 58,840 | USD 735.50

Product Code : VGI01

Add To Cart
Enchanting Ruby Krishna - 475 gms

INR 42,000 | USD 525.00

Product Code : RK03

Add To Cart
Vishnu Pariwar

INR 7,260 | USD 90.75

Product Code : VP01

Add To Cart
Vishnu Yantra - Pocket Size

INR 415 | USD 5.19

Product Code : YP33

Add To Cart
Shree Vishnu Yantra Ring in Copper

INR 500 | USD 6.25

Product Code : CYR10

Add To Cart
Murlidhar under Kalpavriksha tree

INR 10,985 | USD 137.31

Product Code : BR183

Add To Cart
Shree Vishnu Yantra Locket - Silver

INR 1,200 | USD 15.00

Product Code : YL92

Add To Cart
19 Mukhi Rudra Ring

INR 43,215 | USD 540.19

Product Code : RST192

Add To Cart
Shyana Murti of Vishnu-Laxmi

INR 41,400 | USD 517.50

Product Code : RVI01

Add To Cart
Manmohan Krishna in Tiger Eye - 688 gms

INR 17,200 | USD 215.00

Product Code : TEK01

Add To Cart
Vishnu Mantra Kada

INR 425 | USD 5.31

Product Code : CK09

Add To Cart
Brahman Bhoj at Jagannath Temple - Puri

INR 8,301 | USD 103.76

Product Code : PY306

Add To Cart
Shrinathji Shringar at Jagannath Temple - Puri

INR 6,501 | USD 81.26

Product Code : PY307

Add To Cart
Radhe Krishna in Brass - I

INR 21,130 | USD 264.13

Product Code : PDM73

Add To Cart
Radha Krishna with Stone Work

INR 9,880 | USD 123.50

Product Code : PDN12

Add To Cart
Radha Krishna marble idol

INR 43,540 | USD 544.25

Product Code : MIC08

Add To Cart
Ashtadashvarnatmak Shree Krishna Yantra - 6 inches

INR 2,000 | USD 25.00

Product Code : MY02

Add To Cart
10 mukhi Krishna Mala

INR 8,000 | USD 100.00

Product Code : DR145

Add To Cart
Krishna - Jal Tatva

INR 7,425 | USD 92.81

Product Code : CVI26

Add To Cart
Vishnu Laxmi - Vayu Tatva

INR 6,050 | USD 75.63

Product Code : CVI30

Add To Cart
Vishnu Ratna Shakti Yantra

INR 7,850 | USD 98.13

Product Code : MRL16

Add To Cart
Khus Oil - for Lord Vishnu Puja

INR 625 | USD 7.81

Product Code : PEO74

Add To Cart
10 mukhi Krishna bracelet from Java in woolen spacers

INR 1,900 | USD 23.75

Product Code : DR208

Add To Cart
Jagannath Shaligram Murti

INR 12,900 | USD 161.25

Product Code : SIM94

Add To Cart
Siddh Meru Vishnu Yantra on Lotus

INR 22,800 | USD 285.00

Product Code : CEY48

Add To Cart

Meaning of Jagannath

The name of Lord Jagannath (Sanskrit) is formed of two separate words, "Jagat" or "Jagan" meaning Universe and "Nath" means Lord or Master, combined together it means "Lord of the Universe". As per Odia language names like "Jagadbandhu" which means Friend of the Universe and Jaga are obtained from the name "Jagannath". In addition, the iconography of Lord Jagannath has produced popular names with which Lord Jagannath is referred to like:

Chakaakhi or Chakanayana means “With round eyes" Kalya means “the Black-colored Lord"
Darubrahman means "The Sacred Wood-Riddle"
Sarvabhishta-pradayin - One who fulfils desires
Daruedebata means "The Wooden God"
Chakadola means "With Round Pupils"

Dina Krishna Joshi has derived that the name "Jagannath" comes from the word 'Kittung' which is from the tribe Savaras or Sora people. He has specified this theory because according to him, the people of the Vedic times settled in tribal areas and from the tribal language to give the name "Jagannath". Contradiction of this theory is brought forward by O. M Starza, who says that 'Kittung' phonetically does not match with the word Jagannath.

History and Origin of Jagannath

HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF JAGANNATH Lord Jagannath is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna. The explanation of why Jagannath's idol is made from wood, referred locally as the Daru Brahma, is stated in the Puranas. It is believed that because Lord Vishnu's avatar Lord Narasimha had appeared from the wooden pillar so the wooden murti of Jagannath. Also He is worshipped with Narasimha hymns. Lord Vishnu's another avatar of Vamana is celebrated in Jagannath in the Bhadra (August-September) month. It is said that Tulsidas who worshipped Lord Rama, visited Puri and worshipped Jagannath as Rama.

Lord Jagannath is worshipped and revered by the Tantric sect because of His icon which have geometric patterns, mandalas and suit the Tantric concept of worship. The Shaivites and Shaktas consider Him Bhairava that is Lord Shiva and is supposed to be the consort of Goddess Vimala. Jagganth temple at Puri has priests from the Shakta sect too. Sage Markandeya stated in the Markandeya Purana that Lord Shiva and Jagannath are the one and same.

In Vedic literatures:

Rig Veda has a hymn which refers to a wooden log, which is 'Daru' afloat as apurusham, in the ocean. The Sanskrdit scholar of Vijayanagara Empire, Acharya Sayana explained the word 'apurusham' as 'Purushottam' and the wooden log, Dara, served as the creative idea for Lord Jagannath. With this theory the in mind Acharya Sayana infers that Lord Jagannath originated in 2nd millennium BCE.

Meaning of Lord Jagannath In Buddhism:
There are some evidences which gave rise to the hypothesis that Lord Jagannath had Buddhist origins. For example, it is said that there is a relic in the Lord Jagannath which has a tooth of Lord Buddha. Though it is a popular tradition in Theravada Buddhist shrines to store relics, such as tooth, bone of dead Saints however this is not proved as the relic at Jagannath remains uninvestigated. However this suggestion is not accepted as Jainism and some tribal religions have the traditions of preserving the relics of dead.

The Jagannath temple's Stupa-like structure, the similarity of the Chakra placed on top of the temple spire which looks very similar to the Dharmachakra of the Buddhists and the famous Jagannath Rath-Yatra precession are also circumstantial evidences which connect Lord Jagannath shrine to Buddhist origin. The Mahayana Buddhism has a traditional procession which is similar to the Jagannath Rath-Yatra procession, as described by Faxian, a Chinese pilgrim who visited India in ancient times. Further the season when Jagannath Ratha Yatra is celebrated is approximately around the same time when the processions traditionally welcomed the Buddhist monks for their annual monsoon break.

One more piece of evidence is that just like Buddhism never believed in caste system and embraced all religion and caste, similarly at Lord Jagannath's shrine there is no bias about any Hindu caste or sect.

In Jainism:
The assumption that Lord Jagannath of Puri may have been of Jain origin is supported by suggestions made by Pandit Nilakantha Das that as per Jainism, Jagannath means "World personified" and is from the Jain term Jinanath. Also the term 'Nath' is used for Jain Tirthankaras.

Because there are twenty two (22) steps leading to Lord Jagannath's temple it is considered a symbolic representation of the twenty two (22) Jain Tirthankaras. The Jain Hathigumpha inscriptions mention that on the Kumara Hill of Khandagiri-Udayagiri region the practice of worshipping some relic existed. The location indicated coincides with the location of Jagannath temple. Annirudh Das infers that the original idol of Jagannath was 'Jina' of Jainism and that Mahapada Nanda had shifted Jina from Kalinga to Magadha.Starza writes that the restoration of the Jagannath temple by the Jains is mentioned in Jain texts but it's not validated with other information of date etc. Evidence of Jaina images in and near the Jagannath temple complex brings to light the Jain origin of the Jagannath deity; however it may have been added at a later time. Lack of concrete evidence to support the theory of the Jain origin of Jagannath has resulted in the fact that nothing is established to prove the Jain origin of Jagannath tradition, says Stanza.

In Vaishnavism:
The theory of Vaishnava origin is based in the iconography of the Jagannath which coincides with the fact of the Vaishnavas traditionally worshipping the black-colour idol of Lord Krishna and Balarama as white color deity. The third of the triad at the Jagannath Shrine is Goddess Subhadra or Goddess Lakshmi, representing the Divine feminine to Lord Jagannath as per Vaishnavism. The Goddess was originally called Ekanamsa, who is said to be the foster sister of Lord Krishna.

Tribal origins:
The Tribal origins of Jagannath are connected with the characteristic of the Jagannath deity not having a human-like or animal-like form. The fact that the idol of Jagannath is carved from wood is also indicative of it being of tribal origin. As per ancient Hindu texts idols or murtis of deities were to be designed in metal or stone, wood was never recommended. In the Jagannath shine, the priests have incorporated the service of 'Daitas' who are non-Brahmins and is supposed to have roots in the tribal tradition, as 'Daitas' were the ancient Sabara tribe, spelt as Soras. Till date the Daitas are privileged to be the first ones to view the newly made Jagannath idol from wood replaced in approximately every 12 years and also Daitas serve the first offerings to the Jagannath triad.

Some historians and scholars have commented that the locals have claimed that Jagannath is the tribal wooden deity 'Kittung' who was later included as Jagannath by the Brahmins. But has not been accepted by some as they state that Kittung was crafted from burnt wood and had entirely different specifications, so cannot be Jagannath. Yet another theory is about the Anga pen deity of a tribe belonging to Central India have features very much like the Jagannath icon but is a Kali deity and has some bird and snake featuring as part of the form of the deity, which negates this theory too. The tribal deities Stambhesveri or Kambhesvari may have influenced the Jagannath deity as per some scholars but is refuted as this deity is adopted by the tribals but originates from Shaiva deities.

Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra Story Details (Information):

MEANING OF JAGANNATH As per Vaishnva texts, the core nature of Lord Jagannath is mysterious. Though it is difficult to attain Him but the scriptures, which are His manifestations, mention that if a devotee takes two steps toward the Lord, the Lord takes four steps toward the devotee. Lord Jagannath is merciful, liberal and accessible to anyone who wishes to develop love for Him.

Once upon a time King Subal, a great devotee of the Lord, asked a sculptor to carve a form of Lord Krishna honoring the Lord’s appearance on His divine chariot at Kurukshetra when the Lord was joined with His Brother Valaram and Sister Subadra. The sculptor agreed to fulfill the King’s wish but on a condition that he be allowed to work in his room alone, with no distractions or disturbances. The King consented.

JAGANNATH PURI RATH YATRA STORY As the time lapsed, the King went on becoming impatient for he was too eager to see the Deity of the Lord. He wanted to offer obeisance to Him for He is the Lord of the universes (Jagannatha). When he reached to the point of being absolutely impatient, he opened the room wherein the sculptor had been carving the deities only to see the idols and a cloud of smoke. The sculptor had in a flash disappeared leaving the King astonished. However, the Deity Forms of Jagannath, Valaram and Subadra were so captivating that he almost forgot that there was a sculptor here. The deities made by that sculptor are what we see at Puri during the Rath Yatra festival.

Rath Yatra Rituals: What Happens During the Yatra (Procession)?

The Rath Yatra mainly centers on Lord Jagannatha's yearly visit to Gundicha Mata temple. Many believe that Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra spend a few days at the Puri Jagannatha temple that was built by the fabled King Indradyumna’s wife Queen Gundicha who offered un-paralleled and matchless devotion to the Lord. About eighteen days before of Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannatha, his brother Balabhadra and his sister Devi Subhadra are offered ceremonial Vedic bath known as Snana Yatra observed on Purnima Tithi in Jyeshtha month. Devotees engage in cleaning the Gundicha temple a day before the Rath Yatra. It is a ceremonious cleaning of the temple called Gundicha Marjana.

The deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are carried out in a procession by the devotees to Gundicha temple, located 2 km away from the main temple of the Lord, where they spend nine days. Later, the deities are brought back to the main temple. This return procession is called as ‘Bahuda Jatra’.

Pulling the Rath (Chariot) of the Lord:

Pulling the Rath (Chariot) of the Lord Devotees have an intense desire to help pull the deities’ chariots. They believe that by pulling the chariots, one engages in pure devotion to the Lord who destroys their sins committed knowingly or unknowingly. Lord Jagannatha's chariot is known as Nandighosa being forty-five feet high and forty-five feet square at the wheel level. With the sixteen wheels, the chariot is ornamented with a cover made of red and yellow cloth. The chariot of Lord Balarama is known as Taladhwaja forty-four feet high with fourteen wheels and the Palm Tree on its flag. And the chariot of Subhadra is regarded as Dwarpadalana, forty-three feet high with twelve wheels, ornamented with a covering of red and black cloth.

Related Testimonials

What a genius guy you are

Dear Neetaji, Namaste. What a genius guy you are? Thank you so much for the Mahamrityunjaya yagna service !!! Thank you for your answer - you are like a light guide for me in this jungles!!!! Please accept all my gratitude and love for your service. Tanya
- Tanya
Sarva Siddha Combination

Dear Mayank, Thank you so much for such beautiful, wonderful spiritual items arriving so quickly! I am so pleased to be able to wear my Sarva Siddha Combination for the first time on Akshay Tritiya. I feel so utterly blessed to have the support and benefit of this Rudraksha combination. I am so grateful for Neetaji, you, and your coworkers for making this possible! Om Namah Shivaya, Adam
- Adam
Thousands of small light balls entered my Aura

Dear Rudra centre, Namaste. I thank you for arranging the Yagna at Shri Vimal ji\\\'s place. Now something is in transformation. I was doing japa most of the time and had interesting experience. One I want to share with you and Panditji Vimal. Please give my love and thanks to him. There was a time during japa as thousands of small light balls entered my Aura, as they opened tiny sanskrit letters came out. It was fantastic. Om Namah Shivay Martina
- Martina
It is so beautiful

I would like to thank you very much for the prompt arrival of the Shiva linga stone. It is so beautiful and I do appreciate the fact that you acted so quickly and efficiently. I would also like to thank you for the gift. Yours most sincerely, Claire Bellenis
- Claire Bellenis
I fully put my great trust in YOU

I wanted to give you the great news that i had order the bagalamuki yantra and courage bracelet for my sister recently about a month ago that you had recommend to help her with the court case on her child custody battle. The case was turned over to her and she won the custody of her 3 kids. A great big thanks to my GURU. I fully put my great trust in YOU. Thats all for now. MAY LORD SHIVA CONTINUED TO BLESS ALL!!!!! WITH LOVE AND MANY THANKS Marcel.
- Marcel
I could feel the powerful energy instantly vibrating in my body

I ordered 2 Mahamrityunjaya Copper Locket Yantras and I am glad made the right choice by ordering from Rudra Center. I meditate regularly and as soon as I received the yantra locket, I could feel the powerful energy instantly vibrating in my body which ensured me that the correct procedure of energizing the yantra has been followed. Moreover, the packaging was great especially the small gift bags with OM written on it for keeping the locket. Absoultely wonderful. I am really impressed and these small things count. It displays the professional practice been carried out by you guys. Thanks Rudra
- Gaurav