Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra – 27 June 2025: A Divine Journey Begins
One of the most vibrant and spiritually uplifting festivals of India, Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra, will be celebrated on Friday, 27 June 2025. This grand chariot festival, rooted in deep devotion and tradition, is a symbol of unity, inclusiveness, and divine grace.
The grand and joyous festival of Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra will be celebrated on Friday, 27 June 2025, drawing millions of hearts toward the Lord of the Universe. While this festival has its ancient roots in Puri, Odisha, it has now become a global phenomenon—thanks largely to the tireless efforts of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
🌟 What is Ratha Yatra?
Ratha Yatra, also known as the Festival of Chariots, is an annual Hindu celebration dedicated to Lord Jagannatha (a form of Krishna), along with his siblings Balabhadra (Balarama) and Subhadra Devi. The festival originates from the sacred city of Puri, Odisha, where millions of devotees gather to witness the majestic deities ride in enormous, beautifully decorated wooden chariots from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
🚩 Significance of the Day
Ratha Yatra marks the rare occasion when the deities leave the sanctum of the temple and come out to bless the public. It symbolizes the accessibility of the divine – the gods step out to be among the people, reminding us that the divine is not confined to temples or rituals, but present in every heart.
This year, 27 June 2025, is considered especially auspicious. Devotees from around the world are expected to gather in person or join virtual celebrations to offer their prayers and pull the sacred chariots, a ritual believed to cleanse sins and bring spiritual merit.
🌟 Celebrations in 2025
🛕 Puri, Odisha – The Original Festival
The deities will be placed on their respective chariots:
- Nandighosa (Jagannatha)
- Taladhwaja (Balabhadra)
- Darpadalana (Subhadra Devi)
The chariots will be pulled from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, accompanied by kirtans, conch-shell blowing, and ecstatic dancing.
📜 Srila Prabhupada’s Vision
“This Ratha-yatra festival is the combination of the Lord’s mercy and the devotee’s desire to serve Him.” – Srila Prabhupada
For Srila Prabhupada, Ratha Yatra wasn’t just a festival—it was a spiritual revolution. He saw it as a way to awaken Krishna consciousness in people’s hearts through joyful, public celebration. In his words, “Everyone who sees the Ratha-yatra will get spiritual benefit.”
🙏 How to Take Part in Ratha Yatra 2025
- Attend a Ratha Yatra organized by Hare Krishna Mandir, Guwahati
- Watch online celebrations, kirtans, and darshan from Hare Krishna Mandir, Guwahati.
- Support with seva—volunteer, donate, or help with festival arrangements.
- Chant, read, and remember: Spend the day immersed in devotion with the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and readings from Bhagavad-gita or Srimad Bhagavatam.
- Share the joy by inviting friends and family to join the celebration.
🙏 Offer Your Devotion – Through Donation (Seva)
Ratha Yatra is a massive endeavor, requiring months of planning, resources, and service. You can be a part of this divine mission by offering a heartfelt donation, supporting:
- Construction and decoration of chariots
- Free prasadam distribution to thousands
- Sound systems, kirtan stages, and logistics
- Outreach programs and spiritual literature distribution
🪔 Donate Now – Be a Part of Lord Jagannatha’s Journey
Every contribution—big or small—goes directly toward serving the Lord and His devotees. Your donation is not just charity; it is bhakti in action.
“By serving the Lord during His Ratha Yatra, one becomes free from all material contamination.” – Srila Prabhupada
🌺 Pull the chariot. Offer your seva. Receive the Lord’s blessings.
