Ratha Yatra 2025: An example of a short pause to rejuvenate in life
Author: Sudipa Bhattacharyya || Category: Astrology
Last year during a rainy afternoon I was overlooking from my balcony — a group of kids pulling a small wooden chariot decorated with flowers and colourful paper. On top are three small idols: Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra.
Kids were filled with enthusiasm. The road was filled with joy when they shouted, "Jai Jagannath! Jai Jagannath!" — Ratha Yatra — Lord Jagannath’s travel to maternal aunt's house.
And I was pulled into memory of my childhood summer vacation.
In my childhood, most of the time I used to visit my maternal aunt’s house (Mashi Mani) along with my mother and siblings. It used to be a joyful train journey with lots of strangers who used to become friends. Those vacation times used to be time full of affection of an aunt, good food, and playtime.
With time, things changed. Vacation evaded from life, but that childlike longing to go for aunt’s home never really went away.
And now, watching the chariot rolling on the road, I understand why Ratha Yatra feels so personal, so powerful.
A Divine Vacation!
According to Hindu culture and associated folklore, Lord Jagannath and his siblings go to their Mausi Maa’s house in Ratha Yatra.
Every year at the onset of monsoon, Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings, leaves the grand temple of Puri and travels to the Gundicha Temple, also known as Mausi Maa Mandir—his maternal aunt’s home.
Before Vacation - The Bath, the Fever, and the Disappearance
Just before this journey, on Snana Purnima, deities have a bath with 108 sacred waters, which makes them sick with a cold, cough, and fever.
Is it not the same as us when we used to get a fever because of drenching in the rain?
God disappears from the public eye and gets cured with light meals suitable for fever, cold, and cough. This period is called Anasara.
After this separation of 15 days, their return to devotees makes the occasion even more special, like a loved one coming back after some time.
Each sibling has their own chariot — like choice of mode of travel: train/bus/air
- Nandighosa for Jagannath (16 wheels, red & yellow canopy)
- Taladhwaja for Balabhadra (14 wheels, green & red)
- Darpadalana for Subhadra (12 wheels, black & red)
Chariots are not reused; they are built every year — God needs a brand-new one for his gorgeous journey every year.
Before the yatra begins, the King of Puri, the Gajapati Maharaja, comes down from his royalty and sweeps the chariot floor with a golden broom — a ritual called Chhera Pahanra. This event equalises kings and commoners before God.
Lord’s journey is a grand affair — filled with the sound of chants, conches, beats of drums, and millions of devotees.
The chariots are pulled by lakhs of devotees. They are not pulling a wooden chariot; they are pulling their karma and ego and moving forward towards a spiritual journey — closer to God.
In his magical journey, God travels along with his people, a journey filled with love and devotion.
Just like us travelling by train filled with people from across the society.
The Comfort of a Mausi’s Home
At the end of the procession, Lord reaches Mausi Maa’s house, where he and his siblings are treated with special bhog, a special Poda Pitha — a rustic rice cake — and rest here for 9 days.
The rituals here are simple and more relaxed — like a child enjoying a happy vacation from strict discipline of school.
This reminds us even God seeks rest, family, and care. Everyone needs a little pause in busy life.
Return, Reconciliation, and Rasagolla
Returning to the home temple during Bahuda Yatra is filled with a little more family drama. God is not a child, so he has to put some effort into keeping his wife happy — Goddess Lakshmi. She was not part of this grand vacation.
He makes up the situation by offering Rasagolla, event known as Niladri Bije — sweet to bring sweetness to the relationship.
This ends the Ratha Yatra for the year and deities go back to their grand temple chamber.
Why Ratha Yatra Is So Personal for Every Odia
For every Odia person, Ratha Yatra is not just a festival. It is their identity, their home — Ratha Yatra is something universal, it is for all.
God steps outside the sanctum, and he walks among us, sits with us, and eats with us. There are no barriers of caste, class, or religion.
It’s not only a festival or ritual — it’s a living bond between Lord Jagannath and every heart.
The Grand Day of Ratha Yatra 2025
And now comes the day that Puri waits for — the Ratha Yatra, falling on 27th June, 2025.
It is expected that over 1.5 million people may visit Puri to witness Lord Jagannath's Ratha Yatra.
The sea shore town will be filled with people from across the world, also a good time for business for local people. God is taking care of his people by creating scope for some extra income.
A Realization
Ratha Yatra reminds us of the basic things of life — a sweet home, a little rest, care of relationships, and forgiveness.
So, this year, as the chariots roll, take a moment to ask yourself:
- When did I take a pause in my busy life to return back to things that matter?
- How far have I moved from the joy and simplicity of life?
And as the gods go for their divine journey, may you find your way back too — to peace. To love. To yourself.
Jai Jagannath!