Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 is on Thursday, July 16, 2026. The tithi is Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya. Puja muhurat runs from 5:33 AM to 12:00 PM. The festival lasts 9 days, ending on July 27 with Niladri Bije.
Every year, millions of devotees wait for Hinduism’s most celebrated festivals, Jagannath Rath Yatra. It is the rare occasion when Lord Jagannath, along with Balabhadra and Subhadra, leaves the Jagannath Temple in Puri and comes out to bless everyone, regardless of caste, community, or background.
If you’re looking for the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 date, exact tithi timings, puja muhurat, or the complete festival schedule, you’ll find everything here in one place. We’ve also explained why the date changes every year, when each important ritual takes place, and where to check the official temple timings before planning your visit or performing puja at home.
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 Date at a Glance
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 date is Thursday, July 16, 2026. This is the day the three chariots travel from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple in Puri, Odisha.
| Detail | Information |
| Festival name | Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 |
| Main date | Thursday, July 16, 2026 |
| Hindu tithi | Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya |
| Tithi begins | 11:50 AM on July 15, 2026 |
| Tithi ends | 8:52 AM on July 16, 2026 |
| Puja muhurat | 5:33 AM to 12:00 PM (July 16) |
| Festival ends | Monday, July 27, 2026 (Niladri Bije) |
| Total duration | 9 days (July 16 to July 27) |
| Location | Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple, Puri, Odisha |
| Distance covered | About 3 kilometres along Bada Danda (Grand Road) |
Important Note: Tithi timings from Drik Panchang. Muhurat calculated for New Delhi by Devlok Panchang. Times vary slightly by city. Confirm with SJTA for official ritual timings.
What is Ashadh Shukla Dyithiya?
Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya is the second day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Ashadha. Rath Yatra always falls on this day every year. The exact date in the regular calendar changes because the Hindu lunar calendar works differently.
Three words explain this date simply.
- Ashadha: A Hindu month that usually falls in June or July.
- Shukla: The bright half of a month, when the moon grows from new to full.
- Dwitiya: The second day. So Shukla Dwitiya means the second bright day after the new moon.
This tithi is fixed for Rath Yatra. What changes every year is which Gregorian date it falls on. In 2023, it was June 19. In 2026, it moves to July 16. This shift is completely normal and follows the rules of the Hindu Panchang.
| “रथे तु वामनं दृष्ट्वा पुनर्जन्म न विद्यते ॥” “Ratha tu Vamanam drustva purnarjanma na vidyate.” Meaning: One who sees Lord Vishnu on his divine chariot is freed from the cycle of rebirth. Skanda Purana, Purushottama Mahatmya, the scriptural basis for the spiritual value of witnessing the chariot on this day. |
Exact Tithi Timings for Rath Yatra 2026
The Dwitiya Tithi for Rath Yatra 2026 starts at 11:50 AM on July 15 and ends at 8:52 AM on July 16. Since the tithi is still active at sunrise on July 16, that is the festival day.
In the Hindu festival calendar, a tithi does not always match one full day. It starts and ends based on the moon’s position, not the clock. The rule is simple: if the tithi is present at sunrise on a day, that day is the festival. This rule is called Udaya Tithi, or the tithi that is active at sunrise.
On July 16, the Dwitiya Tithi is still running at sunrise. So the full day of July 16 is counted as Rath Yatra 2026 date. The fact that the tithi began the afternoon before does not move the festival to July 15.
Simple rule:If the tithi is alive at sunrise, that day is the festival day. This is why the main procession always happens on July 16, not July 15, even though the tithi starts a day earlier.
Puja Muhurat for Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026
The shubh muhurat for Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 is from 5:33 AM to 12:00 PM on July 16, 2026. This is calculated for New Delhi by Devlok Panchang. The time changes slightly by city.
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 Shubh Muhurat:
- Start time: 5:33 AM on July 16, 2026
- End time: 12:00 PM on July 16, 2026
- Duration: About 6 hours and 27 minutes
- Best time for puja: Early morning hours, from 5:33 AM to 7:00 AM
- For your city’s exact muhurat: Use a local Panchang app or check with your nearest Jagannath or Vaishnava temple.
This festival falls on a Thursday, which is the day of Lord Vishnu in the Hindu week. That adds one more layer of significance to the muhurat on this day. Any puja or prayer done during this window carries strong spiritual weight, whether you are in Puri or worshipping from home.
Why Does the Rath Yatra Date Change Every Year?
The Jagannath Rath Yatra date changes every year because it follows the Hindu lunar calendar, not the regular calendar. The lunar calendar has shorter months, so dates shift by about 10 to 11 days each year.
The regular calendar we use has 365 days in a year. The Hindu lunar calendar has only about 354 days. This creates a gap of around 11 days every year. That is why a festival that fell in mid June one year can fall in mid July the next.
Every 2 to 3 years, the Hindu calendar adds an extra month to fix this gap. This extra month is called Adhika Maas. When this happens, a festival can jump more than a month later in the regular calendar. That is exactly what happened between 2025 and 2026. Rath Yatra was on June 27 in 2025. In 2026, it moves all the way to July 16 because of this adjustment.
Full Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 Schedule: 9-Day Calendar
The Jagannath Yatra schedule 2026 runs from July 16 to July 27. It includes the main chariot procession, a 7-day stay at Gundicha Temple, the return journey, the gold attire ritual, and the homecoming. Pre-festival rituals begin from June 29, before the Snan Purnima yatra.
| Date | Day | Ritual / Event | What happens |
| June 29 | Monday | Snana Yatra | Deities are bathed with 108 pots of sacred water from the temple’s golden well. This marks the start of the festival cycle. |
| June 30 | Tuesday | Anavasara Begins | Deities enter a private rest period. No public darshan for about two weeks. Temple painters refresh and repaint the idols. |
| July 15 | Wednesday | Netrotsava | Deities get freshly painted eyes. Devotees call this the festival of new eyes. The final step before the main procession begins. |
| July 16 | Thursday | Rath Yatra, Main Day | Three chariots carry the deities from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple along Bada Danda. The Gajapati King sweeps the chariot with a golden broom before the pulling begins. |
| July 17 to 23 | Friday to Thursday | Stay at Gundicha Temple | The deities rest at Gundicha Temple. Daily rituals and darshan continue inside. Devotees believe seeing the deities here is especially auspicious. |
| July 20 | Monday | Hera Panchami | Goddess Lakshmi visits Gundicha Temple in protest, upset at being left behind. This emotional ritual is reenacted every year. |
| July 24 | Friday | Bahuda Yatra | The return journey. The deities travel back from Gundicha Temple to the Jagannath Temple. Chariots stop at Mausi Maa Temple for a sweet offering called Poda Pitha. |
| July 25 | Saturday | Suna Besha | Deities are dressed in pure gold ornaments on the chariots in front of the Lion’s Gate. One of the most beautiful darshans of the entire year. |
| July 26 | Sunday | Adhara Pana | A sacred drink is offered to the guardian deities of the chariots. |
| July 27 | Monday | Niladri Bije | The deities return to their sanctum inside the Jagannath Temple. Goddess Lakshmi first blocks entry and is appeased with a Rasagola offering before allowing the Lord back in. |
Where to check official Jagannath Rath yatra date and timings?
Ritual timings within each day are set by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and are announced close to the festival. Use these two verified official sources to stay updated:
- Official SJTA website: www.shreejagannatha.in, the primary source for all temple announcements, niti schedules, and visitor information.
- SJTA on X (Twitter): @SJTA_Puri, posts live updates on darshan timings, ritual schedules, and crowd management during Rath Yatra week.
Both are free to access. Following Is Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 Live Streamed?@SJTA_Puri on the days leading up to July 16 is the fastest way to get accurate daily timings.
What Time Does Rath Yatra Start on July 16, 2026?
Morning rituals inside the temple begin before sunrise, around 4 to 5 AM. The Pahandi procession (bringing the deities out to the chariots) starts mid-morning. The Chhera Pahara sweeping ritual by the Gajapati King happens around late morning. Chariot pulling on Bada Danda typically begins near late morning to early afternoon. Official times are set by SJTA and announced close to the date.
Here is how the day generally unfolds on the main Rath Yatra day in Puri:
- 4:00 to 5:00 AM: Mangal Arati and early morning rituals inside the sanctum.
- Mid-morning: Pahandi begins. Temple servants carry each deity out in a swaying, ceremonial procession.
- Late morning: Chhera Pahara. The Gajapati King of Puri sweeps all three chariot platforms with a gold-handled broom.
- Late morning to early afternoon: The chariot pulling begins along Bada Danda toward Gundicha Temple.
- Evening: Chariots reach Gundicha Temple, about 3 kilometres from the starting point.
First-time visitor note: The chariot procession can take many hours. Crowds are very large and movement can be slow. Plan to be on Bada Danda by 5 to 6 AM for a clear view. Arriving after 9 AM usually means standing far from the chariots.
Is Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 Live Streamed?
Yes. The Rath Yatra in Puri has been live streamed in recent years on Doordarshan, YouTube, and the official Jagannath Temple social channels. For 2026, check the official SJTA website at shreejagannatha.in and @SJTA_Puri for live streaming links as the date approaches.
Doordarshan Odia has carried the live telecast of Rath Yatra for many years. In recent editions, the SJTA has also enabled live streams on digital platforms so that devotees across the world can watch the Pahandi, Chhera Pahara, and chariot pulling in real time.
This is especially helpful for devotees who cannot travel to Puri but want to receive the Lord’s darshan on the main day.
When Should You Arrive in Puri for Rath Yatra 2026?
Arrive in Puri by July 14, 2026, at least two days before the main festival. Book hotels in advance. Be on Bada Danda by 5 to 6 AM on July 16 to get a good viewing spot.
Puri in 2026 will also be noticeably different for visitors compared to previous years. The Shree Jagannath Heritage Corridor project has significantly upgraded the area around the temple. The corridor is 75 metres wide and surrounds the Jagannath Temple, bringing much better crowd management, cleaner walking paths, and better viewing areas along the procession route.
- Book your stay: Do this in advance because hotels and guest houses near Bada Danda fill up months early.
- Arrive: By July 14, 2026 to settle in before the crowds peak on July 15 and 16.
- Be at Bada Danda: By 5 to 6 AM on July 16 for a clear spot near the front.
- Nearest airport: Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, about 60 km away.
- By train: Puri Junction station connects to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
- Backup option: Stay in Bhubaneswar if Puri accommodation is full. Many pilgrims travel to Puri on the morning of July 16 from there.
Final Thought
We hope this guide helped you find everything you were looking for, from the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 date and puja muhurat to the complete festival schedule. As the day approaches, remember to check the official temple updates for any changes in ritual timings.
May this Rath Yatra bring peace, happiness, and Lord Jagannath’s blessings into your life.
Jai Jagannath!
Frequently Asked Questions About Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 Date and Timings
1. What is the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 date?
Thursday, July 16, 2026. It falls on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya as per the Hindu Panchang.
2. What is the puja muhurat for Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026?
5:33 AM to 12:00 PM on July 16, 2026. This is calculated for New Delhi. Use a local Panchang for your city’s exact timing.
3. What are the Dwitiya tithi timings for Rath Yatra 2026?
The Dwitiya Tithi starts at 11:50 AM on July 15 and ends at 8:52 AM on July 16, 2026. Source: Drik Panchang.
4. What time does the chariot procession start on July 16?
Morning rituals begin around 4 AM. The Pahandi and Chhera Pahara rituals happen mid-morning. Chariot pulling typically begins in the late morning. Official timings are posted by SJTA at shreejagannatha.in and @SJTA_Puri.
5. When is Bahuda Yatra in 2026?
Friday, July 24, 2026. This is the return journey of the deities from Gundicha Temple to the Jagannath Temple.
6. When is Suna Besha in 2026?
Saturday, July 25, 2026. The deities are dressed in pure gold ornaments on the chariots in front of the temple.
7. When is Niladri Bije in 2026?
Monday, July 27, 2026. The deities return inside the temple sanctum. This marks the end of the 9-day festival cycle.
8. Why is Rath Yatra 2026 in July instead of June?
An Adhika Ashadha month was added to the Hindu lunar calendar this year. This pushed the Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya almost 19 days later than in 2025.
9. Where can I check the official Rath Yatra 2026 ritual timings?
Check the official SJTA website at shreejagannatha.in and follow @SJTA_Puri on X (Twitter) for real-time updates and day-wise ritual schedules.
10. Is Rath Yatra 2026 live streamed?
Yes. Doordarshan Odia and official SJTA digital channels have broadcast the festival in recent years. Watch shreejagannatha.in and @SJTA_Puri for confirmed streaming links as July 16 approaches.
11. How many days does Rath Yatra 2026 last?
9 days. From July 16 (main chariot day) to July 27 (Niladri Bije homecoming).
12. Is Rath Yatra a public holiday in 2026?
Yes. Rath Yatra is a gazetted public holiday in Odisha and a restricted holiday in other states of India.
13. When should I arrive in Puri for Rath Yatra 2026?
Arrive by July 14. Book hotels by April or May. Be on Bada Danda by 5 to 6 AM on July 16.
14. What is the full Rath Yatra 2026 calendar?
Snana Yatra: June 29.
Anavasara: June 30.
Netrotsava: July 15.
Main Rath Yatra: July 16.
Hera Panchami: July 20.
Bahuda Yatra: July 24.
Suna Besha: July 25.
Adhara Pana: July 26.
Niladri Bije: July 27.
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