Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 Start Date: Puri's world-famous Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival) begins every year on the *Dwitiya Tithi* (second day) of the *Shukla Paksha* (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of *Ashadha*. On this day, Lord Jagannath, along with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, rides massive chariots to visit their aunt's home. They rest there for five days, and the return journey—known as the *Ulti Yatra*—begins the following day. Finally, the trio returns to the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath Temple. The entire journey spans nine days, though preparations begin well in advance. Devotees from across the country and around the world travel to Puri, Odisha, to participate in this Rath Yatra.

**Start of Rath Yatra 2026**
According to the *Panchang* (Hindu almanac), the *Dwitiya Tithi* of the *Ashadha Shukla Paksha* begins at 11:50 AM on Wednesday, July 15. This *Tithi* continues until 8:52 AM on Thursday, July 16. Based on the *Udayatithi* convention (observing the date based on sunrise), *Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya* falls on July 16. Consequently, the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri will commence on July 16.

**Rath Yatra to Begin During Two Auspicious Yogas**
This year, the Jagannath Rath Yatra will commence during two auspicious *Yogas* (astrological combinations). On July 16, the procession will start during *Siddhi Yoga* and *Ravi Yoga*. *Siddhi Yoga* will be active from the morning of July 16 until 1:22 AM on July 17; tasks undertaken during this *Yoga* are believed to be successful. Following this, *Vyatipat Yoga* will begin.

On the first day of the Rath Yatra, *Ravi Yoga* will form at 7:52 PM and remain active until 5:34 AM the following day, July 17.

**Deities to Visit Aunt's Home Riding Three Chariots**
The divine siblings will ride the chariots named *Nandighosha*, *Taladhwaja*, and *Darpadalan*. On the second day of the bright fortnight of the Ashadha month (Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya), Lord Jagannath will be seated on His massive chariot, *Nandighosha*, while His elder brother Balabhadra will ride the *Taladhwaja* chariot and sister Subhadra the *Darpadalan* chariot. Their *Ratha Yatra* (chariot procession) will then commence in accordance with traditional rituals. The chariots will be pulled using thick ropes. These three colossal chariots will be taken to the Gundicha Temple—the abode of Lord Jagannath’s aunt—where the three siblings will stay for five days.

On *Hera Panchami*, Goddess Lakshmi visits Lord Jagannath, and specific rituals are performed. Subsequently, the return journey from the Gundicha Temple begins; this is known as *Bahuda Yatra*, during which the three chariots are pulled back to the Jagannath Temple.

**Conclusion of Ratha Yatra with Niladri Bije**
Rituals such as *Suna Besha*, *Adhara Pana*, and *Niladri Bije* are performed there. During *Suna Besha*, the deities—Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra—are adorned with gold ornaments. In the *Adhara Pana* ritual, a sweet beverage is offered to the three deities. *Niladri Bije* marks the final event of the *Ratha Yatra*, during which Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra are re-installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath Temple, thereby concluding the festival. This year, *Niladri Bije* falls on July 27.

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