When is Rath Yatra 2023: Rath Yatra is an important Indian festival observed in Orissa at Shri Kshetra Puri Dham. It is one of the earliest and largest festivals in the country and features a grand procession of chariots. This festival honours the god Jagannath, also known as “lord of the world,” and is held at the Jagannath temple.
When is the Rath Yatra? How will the occasion be commemorated? Continue reading to learn more about the 2023 Rath Yatra festival.
Rath Yatra 2023 date
The festival will commence this year on Tuesday, 20 June 2023. The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a nine-day festival celebrated in Eastern India’s states of Odisha, Jharkhand, and others. Lord Jagannath and two other deities ride magnificent chariots to the Gundicha Temple and Mausi Maa Temple during the principal procession, which takes place in Puri, Odisha.
How is the Rath Yatra observed?
The Rath Yatra is an extravagant festival with profound roots in India’s rich cultural heritage. It is a nine-day festival that commences on Akshaya Tritiya with the construction of chariots. The timber for these chariots is gathered from the Dashpalla forest, and only Shrimandir’s carpenters are permitted to construct them.
Large chariots are drawn through the streets during the festival to symbolise the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and their sister Subhadra to their aunt’s temple, the Gundicha Temple, in Puri, Odisha. It is believed that Lord Jagannath relaxes for seven days during the festival before returning home.
The uniqueness of the Rath Yatra lies in the fact that it is not a typical festival. Many devotees travel great distances to attend the event and commemorate their culture and heritage.
Similar to the Odisha Rath Yatra festival, Rath Yatra festivals are also conducted in other regions of India and Bangladesh. However, Puri’s festivities continue to be the oldest and most elaborate.
Rath Yatra in Puri in 2023
The Jagannath Rath Yatra is held in Puri on the second day of the Shukla Paksha of the month of Ashadh. The Rath Yatra in Puri is a symbol of harmony, unity, and fraternity. Lord Jagannath Srihari is regarded as one of Lord Vishnu’s principal avatars.
Each year, tens of thousands of devotees, pilgrims, and travellers travel to Puri, Odisha, to participate in the Rath Yatra and improve their fortune by pulling the chariot. It is also believed that participants in the Rath Yatra receive happiness and prosperity of all types. On 20 June 2023, the main Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath will be performed.
Jai Jagannath!
