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The temple town of Puri in Odisha is gearing up for one of the largest religious congregations in the world as the Lord Jagannath Ratha Yatra is just days away. The annual sojourn of the divine trinity- Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra- attracts devotees and visitors from across India and abroad to Puri.

According to the Hindu Calendar, Ratha Yatra is held on the Dwitiya Tithi or the second day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha. This year, Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri will be held on Sunday, July 7. The nine-day festival will conclude with Bahuda Yatra, or the return journey of Lord Jagannath with siblings, on July 16.

Lord Jagannath, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is revered as the ruler of the universe. The annual Rath Yatra or the chariot festival marks the 9-day visit of the holy trinity to their birthplace at Gundicha temple.

This year Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra is going to be a significant occasion for devotees due to some rare occurrences.

Let’s look at the timeline, changes, and how Puri prepares for this historic occasion.

Puri Rath Yatra 2024 Rituals: A rare combination after 53 years

The 2024 edition of the Rath Yatra is going to be a special occasion for devotees due to a rare occurrence after 53 years.

This year Netrotsav, Nabajoubana Darshan and Ratha Yatra fall on the same day.

This rare combination is going to happen again after 1971. However, for timely completion of rituals the temple administration has decided not to allow Nabajoubana Darshan for devotees this year.

Netrotsav and Nabajoubana Darsha rituals refer to the reappearance of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra after isolation for 15 days, known as ‘Anasara’, following Snana Purnima.

Also, this year in another rare combination the Anasara period will be for 13 days instead of 15 days.

Puri Ratha Yatra 2024: Rituals And History

Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra will be taken to Gundicha temple on their chariots, Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana, respectively.

On the day of the Rath Yatra, many rituals will be performed. The agyanmala for chariots will be brought from Pati Dian rather than the deities, while other rites will adhere to as per the 1971 schedule, due to the rare occurrence this year.

On July 7, the festivities will begin with the Mangal Alati at 2 am, followed by the Netra Utsav Bandhapana at 4 am. Then the Daitapati servitors will perform the Chhenapatta Lagi Seva between 7:3 am and noon to prepare the deities for their journey.

Chariot consecration will be completed by 11 am, and the ceremonial Pahandi of the deities will be held between 1:10 am and 2:30 pm, as per the schedule finalised by the temple administration.

The King of Puri, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, will perform the Chhera Pahanra ritual at 4 pm, followed by devotees pulling the chariots at 5 pm.

Although there are some modifications this year, the festival’s spirit remains the same. Devotees from all over the world will converge to see and participate in this spectacular event, praying for blessings of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.