Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: All you need to know about the 'Festival of Chariots' (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 Date, Significance and Mythology: The Jagannath Rath Yatra, often called the Jagannath Puri Yatra or ‘Festival of Chariots’, is one of India’s largest and most significant festivities.It is performed annually in Puri, Odisha, to worship Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu, his older brother Balabhadra, and his sister Subhadra.The celebration takes place on Dwitiya Tithi, the second day of the bright fortnight of the Sharad Paksha, a fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Asadh, which often corresponds to June or July as per the Gregorian calendar.The festival officially starts today, on June 12, 2025, with the Snana Purnima (ceremonial bathing of the deities), followed by a rest period called Anavasara from June 13 to June 26, during which the deities are kept away from public view as they are believed to be recuperating after the bath.READ: In Puri for the Rath Yatra? Here are some other things you should doAccording to Drik Panchang, in 2025, the Dwitiya date starts from June 26 at 1:24 PM and ends on June 27 at 11:19 AM. This is why the main Rath Yatra procession, where Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are taken out on their respective chariots, will be on June 27, 2025. Jagannath Rath Yatra organised at Ghatkopar in Mumbai. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra, a celebration celebrating life journeys and the pursuit of soul liberation, is viewed as Lord Jagannath’s symbolic journey from the temple (the heavens) to the streets (the earthly realm) to visit all of his devotees.Additionally, according to the Hindu legend, it is believed that Lord Jagannath returns to his birthplace, Mathura, in this journey, and devotees who pull the chariots and touch the ropes are granted blessings and forgiveness of sins.Story continues below this adIt is known as the celebration of oneness because it brings together individuals from all walks of life. The Chhera Panhara rite (sweeping the chariots) is performed by the King of Puri himself, demonstrating that everyone is equal in the eyes of God.© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:Jagannath YatraPuri Jagannadh