Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 Begins: Why Deities Travel To The Gundicha Temple
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 Begins: Why Deities Travel To The Gundicha Temple Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 14:41 IST The festival symbolises the
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 Begins: Why Deities Travel To The Gundicha Temple Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 14:41 IST The festival symbolises the Lord stepping out to bless all devotees, making it one of Hinduism's most inclusive religious traditions. Rapid Read Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 The world-famous Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 commenced in Odisha’s Puri on Thursday, with lakhs of devotees gathering to witness Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Goddess Subhadra embark on their annual journey from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. During the grand procession, the three deities are taken out of the sanctum and placed on massive wooden chariots before being pulled by devotees along the nearly three-kilometre Bada Danda (Grand Road) to the Gundicha Temple. The deities remain there for several days before returning to the Jagannath Temple during the Bahuda Yatra. But beyond the spectacle, the Rath Yatra is steeped in centuries-old traditions and symbolism. Here’s what makes the festival unique. Why Do Deities Travel To Gundicha Temple? According to Jagannath tradition, the annual journey marks Lord Jagannath’s visit to the Gundicha Temple, which is revered as the home of his maternal aunt.
Goddess Subhadra wished to visit her aunt’s house at Gundicha Temple. Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra accompanied her, giving rise to the annual Rath Yatra tradition. The Rath Yatra is also known as Gundicha Yatra and is one of the rare occasions when the deities leave the temple to give darshan to devotees who may not be able to enter the shrine. The festival symbolises the Lord stepping out to bless all devotees, making it one of Hinduism’s most inclusive religious traditions. Why Is Goddess Subhadra Placed Between Her Brothers? The placement of Goddess Subhadra between Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra reflects an enduring feature of Jagannath worship and is rooted in temple tradition. According to popular belief, the sister is seated between her two brothers as a symbol of familial affection, protection and unity. This arrangement is maintained both inside the sanctum of the Jagannath Temple and during the Rath Yatra, where all three deities journey together in separate chariots. Why Are Chariots Made Of Wood Every Year? One of the most distinctive features of the Rath Yatra is that the three towering chariots are constructed afresh every year using wood from specific tree species sourced from Odisha.
The construction follows age-old rituals carried out by hereditary carpenters using traditional techniques. Once the festival concludes, the chariots are dismantled, and new ones are built for the following year’s procession, symbolising renewal and the cyclical nature of life. Why Are Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra Worshipped Together? Unlike most Hindu temples that house a single principal deity, the Jagannath Temple enshrines Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra together. The three siblings represent divine unity and familial harmony. During the Rath Yatra, each deity travels in a separate chariot: Nandighosha for Jagannath, Taladhwaja for Balabhadra and Darpadalana (Devadalana) for Subhadra, yet they undertake the journey together, reinforcing the bond between the siblings. Why Are Idols Replaced Every Few Years? Unlike stone or metal idols found in most temples, the deities at the Jagannath Temple are carved from sacred neem wood. Every 12 to 19 years, during a ritual known as Nabakalebara, the wooden idols are ceremonially replaced when an extra lunar month (Adhika Ashadha) appears in the Hindu calendar. The ritual signifies the belief that while the physical body changes, the divine essence remains eternal. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What is the significance of the chariots being rebuilt annually?
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