Puri, June 26: As the grand annual Rath Yatra is round the corner, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has officially released the detailed schedule of rituals for Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
The rituals begin early in the morning and continue through the day, culminating in the pulling of the three grand chariots through the streets of Puri.
Detailed schedule of Rath Yatra Rituals
6:00 AM- Mangala Alati: The day begins with the auspicious Mangala Alati, a ceremonial awakening of the deities with light and music.
6:10 AM- Mailam: The removal of the old clothes and preparation for dressing the deities.
6:30 AM – Tadapa Lagi & Rosha Homa: Traditional rituals including the offering of sacred cloths (Tadapa) and fire rituals for purification.
7:00 AM – Abakasha: The holy bath and brushing of the deities, followed by preparations for the day.
7:10 AM – Surya Puja: Worship of the Sun God, symbolizing the source of life and energy.
7:30 AM – Dwarapala Puja & Besha Sesha: Rituals for the temple gatekeepers, followed by final touches to the special attire of the deities.
8:00 AM to 9:00 AM – Gopala Ballabha and Sakala Dhupa: Offering of early morning and main breakfast, including the famous rice dish 'Khecudi'.
9:00 AM – Rath Pratistha: Consecration of the three wooden chariots.
9:15 AM – Mangalarpana: A brief ritual seeking divine blessings before the deities are brought out.
9:30 AM – Pahandi Begins: The ceremonial procession begins where the deities are carried out from the temple to their chariots in a rhythmic, swaying movement known as 'Pahandi'.
12:30 PM – Pahandi Ends: All deities are placed on their respective chariots.
12:30 PM to 1:00 PM – Bije of Sri Madanmohan, Sri Ram, and Sri Krishna: These representative deities are also seated on the chariots.
1:30 PM to 2:30 PM – Chitalagi & Besha Sesha: Final ornamentation and dressing rituals of the deities.
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM – Chhera Pahanra: A key highlight where the Gajapati King of Puri sweeps the chariots with a golden broom, symbolizing humility and equality before the Lord.
4:00 PM – Charamala Phita (Opening of Chariot Ropes), Ghoda (Horse) & Sarathi (Charioteer) Installation
4:00 PM – Chariot Pulling Begins: The grand moment when devotees pull the three majestic chariots — Nandighosha (Jagannath), Taladhwaja (Balabhadra), and Darpadalana (Subhadra) — through the streets towards the Gundicha Temple, about 3 km from the main temple.
The Rath Yatra symbolizes Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra’s annual visit to his aunt’s home, and it brings together people from all walks of life in a spirit of devotion, equality, and celebration. Security, health, and transport arrangements have been put in place by the Odisha government to ensure a smooth and safe experience for all attendees.
