
Puri Rath Yatra 2025 BIG Update: Indian Railways to run 365 special trains from Odisha to THESE States, Chariot Procession to begin from…
New Delhi: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has announced the deployment of 365 special trains to and from Puri ahead of the annual Puri Rath Yatra festival, one of the most deeply rooted spiritual gatherings in India's eastern corridor. The addition of special trains will ease the movement of lakhs of devotees expected during the sacred chariot procession. The centuries-old festival pays homage to Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, as they are ceremoniously taken out of the sanctum of the Jagannath Temple and drawn to the nearby Gundicha Temple in grand, towering wooden chariots.
This year's Yatra, scheduled to commence on June 27, 2025, marks a high point in Odisha's ritual calendar.According to the statement issued by the ECoR, this extensive network of services is designed to accommodate the exceptional swell in pilgrim traffic, while also offering easier access to those residing in districts not typically served by high-frequency passenger trains. Special Trains To and From Puri:
The railway authority has stated that these additional trains will operate from a wide range of origins across Odisha, including Rourkela, Biramitrapur, Bangiriposi, Junagarh Road, Badampahar, Boudh, Jagdalpur, Baleswar, Angul, Gunupur, and Rayagada.
According to the Indian Railways, services will also be extended to key junctions in neighbouring states, with trains running to and from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Gondia in Chhattisgarh, and Santragachi in West Bengal. Ritual Calendar: Puri Rath Yatra 2025 Snana Purnima (Ceremonial Bathing of the Deities): June 12
Anavasara (Seclusion Period): June 13 to June 26
Gundicha Marjana (Temple Cleansing Ritual): June 26
Rath Yatra (Main Chariot Procession): June 27
Hera Panchami (Divine Visit of Lakshmi): July 1
Bahuda Yatra (Return Journey to Jagannath Temple): July 4
Suna Besha (Golden Ornamentation of the Deities): July 5
Niladri Bije (Re-entry into the Sanctum): July 5
Passengers are advised to consult official railway websites and public information channels to access real-time train schedules, seat availability, and platform updates.
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News18
an hour ago
- News18
Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Even Chariot Ropes Have Sacred Names, Here's The Story
Last Updated: During Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath, along with Balabhadra and Subhadra, travels from Puri temple to Gundicha Temple. The 12-day journey holds deep spiritual significance Jagannath Rath Yatra, also known as the ' Puri Festival of Chariots ', is one of the most revered and grand festivals in the Hindu religion. Held annually in Puri, Odisha, the event is dedicated to Lord Jagannath. People from all over the world come to witness the grand incarnation of Lord Vishnu with great reverence and enthusiasm. This year, the journey begins on Friday, June 27, and will continue until July 8. Lord Jagannath, accompanied by his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, travels from the main temple of Puri to the Gundicha Temple on grand chariots. The yatra lasts for 12 days, with each day holding special spiritual significance. According to Bhopal-based astrologer and Vastu consultant Pandit Hitendra Kumar Sharma, the yatra begins on Friday on the second day (Dwitiya Tithi) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha. As per the Hindu Panchang, Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga occurs from 5:25 am to 7:22 am, followed by Pushya Nakshatra. The most auspicious moment of the day, Abhijit Muhurat, falls between 11:56 am and 12:52 pm, the time when the Lord's chariot procession officially begins. Rituals On The First Day One of the most iconic rituals is Chhera Panhara, performed by the King of Puri. In a gesture of humility and service, he sweeps the area beneath the chariot with a golden broom. Another notable event is Hera Panchami, when Goddess Lakshmi visits the Gundicha Temple and expresses her displeasure at Lord Jagannath for leaving her behind, adding a dramatic touch to the festival. Interestingly, even the ropes used to pull the chariots are named. Lord Jagannath's 16-wheeled chariot is called Nandighosh, and its rope is named Shankhachuda Nadi. Balabhadra's 14-wheeled chariot is Taladhwaj, with the rope called Basuki. Subhadra's 12-wheeled chariot is Darpadalan, and its rope is Swarnachuda Nadi. Touching these ropes is considered highly auspicious. Who Can Pull The Chariots? One of the most special aspects of the Rath Yatra is its inclusivity. People from all religions, castes, and countries are welcome to pull the chariots. The only requirement is a pure heart filled with devotion. It is believed that pulling the chariot can help one break free from the cycle of life and death, moving towards salvation. However, no individual is allowed to pull for too long, ensuring that all devotees have a chance. Even simply participating with sincere devotion is said to be as virtuous as performing a thousand sacred rituals (yagnas). How Did the Rath Yatra Begin? According to the Skanda Purana, one day Subhadra expressed a desire to see the city. To fulfil her wish, Jagannath and Balabhadra placed her on a chariot and took her on a tour, including a visit to their aunt's home, the Gundicha Temple, where they stayed for seven days. This event marked the beginning of the tradition, which continues to this day. Structure of The Chariots Each deity rides in a different chariot, each uniquely structured: All chariots are built using specific types of sacred wood, and new ones are constructed every year. The chariots are pulled from the main temple to the Gundicha Temple using thick ropes, a tradition believed to bring peace and happiness to one's life. Lord Krishna's Heart A fascinating belief associated with Lord Jagannath is that his idol contains the heart of Lord Krishna, which, according to legend, did not burn after his death. It is said this sacred heart appeared as a piece of wood on the seashore and was discovered by King Indradyumna of Odisha in a dream. This wood was then installed inside the idol, where it remains to this day. Why Is The Idol Changed Every 12 Years? The idol of Lord Jagannath is made from Neem wood and is replaced every 12 years in a ritual called ' Navakalevar '. However, the inner wooden core, believed to be Lord Krishna's heart, is never changed. During the replacement, the entire city's electricity is turned off. The priest changes the idol while blindfolded, with cloth wrapped around his hands, so he neither sees nor touches the sacred core directly. It is said that anyone who sees this divine wood faces instant death. The Rath Yatra is believed to relieve participants from the burden of past karmas and bring peace of mind. It is said that taking part in this divine journey grants the same spiritual merit as performing a hundred yagnas. First Published:


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Braving visa delays, hike in flight fares, foreigners flock to Puri for Rath
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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Iskcon chariots roll out on Sukhoi wheels in Kol
1 2 3 4 Kolkata: This Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath rode in on fresh wheels in Kolkata. Last year's chariot ride on the worn-out Boeing Jumbo Jet tyres was particularly bumpy, compounded by the steering mechanism failure that left the chariot stranded on the day of Rath Yatra. However, with the old tyres replaced by brand new ones from a fighter jet before this year's festival, the deities had a glitch-free journey on Friday. This is the 54th year that Iskcon has organised the Rath Yatra in Kolkata and the first time that Russian fighter aircraft Sukhoi Su-30MKI tyres have adorned Lord Jagannath's chariot. All three chariots have been in use since the inception of the event over half a century ago. The steel wheels of Lord Balabhadra's chariot were changed last year, while those of Devi Subhadra have undergone repairs in the past. Around 2 lakh people thronged the 8-km route, through which the three raths travelled on Friday. Apart from them, around 100 foreigners from Russia, Ukraine, China, Japan, US, Canada, UK, France, and a few other countries participated in the festival in the city. This year, the turnout of foreigners was lower compared to previous years, as many have been unable to travel due to geopolitical tensions that have made air travel between Asia and the West challenging. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Monster Hunter Wilds – Exclusive Discounts! Shop Now Undo You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata The Rath Yatra started at 1.45 pm from Hungerford Street, where the Iskcon temple is situated. It then turned left on to AJC Bose Road before turning right on to Sarat Bose Road. At the Sarat Bose Road-Hazra crossing, it turned right on to Hazra Road before again turning right on to SP Mukherjee Road. Thereafter, it had a long straight run through Ashutosh Mukherjee Road and then Chowringhee Road past Exide crossing, before it turned left on to Outram Road on reaching the Park Street-JL Nehru Road crossing. After a brief run on Outram Road, the raths reached their destination at Brigade Parade Ground at 6.45 pm. At the Brigade ground, the deities have been housed in a pandal resembling Puri's Jagannath temple. Iskcon vice-president Radharamn Das, who is in Digha to participate in the Rath Yatra there, said the pandal on Brigade ground was the Gundicha temple or 'Masir-bari', where the deities would reside till the return journey begins on Ulta Rath on July 5.