SJTA Releases Schedule of Rituals for Snana Yatra, Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra; Check Details

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has officially released the schedule of rituals for the much-awaited Snana Yatra, Rath Yatra, and Bahuda Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra in Puri. The announcement comes as the holy city prepares to welcome lakhs of devotees for one of India’s biggest religious festivals.

Snana Yatra to Begin the Grand Festivities

The annual celebrations will commence with Snana Yatra (Deba Snana Purnima), during which the sibling deities will be ceremonially brought out from the sanctum sanctorum to the Snana Mandap. They will be bathed with 108 sacred pots of holy water, a ritual that marks the symbolic birthday of Lord Jagannath. Following the ceremonial bath, the deities will adorn the famous Gaja Besha (Elephant Attire) before entering the traditional Anasara period, during which they remain away from public view for about two weeks.

Key Ritual Schedule Released by SJTA

According to the official schedule:

• Snana Yatra (Deba Snana Purnima): June 29, 2026
• Rath Yatra (Gundicha Yatra): July 14, 2026
• Bahuda Yatra (Return Car Festival): July 22, 2026

Apart from these major festivals, SJTA has also issued the timetable for several important rituals that take place before and after the chariot festival to ensure the smooth conduct of all religious ceremonies.

Massive Preparations Underway in Puri

Temple authorities and the Odisha administration have intensified preparations for the annual festival. Crowd management, security arrangements, sanitation, traffic regulation, and emergency medical services are being strengthened as lakhs of pilgrims are expected to visit Puri during the celebrations. Special arrangements are also being made for the smooth movement of devotees along the Grand Road (Bada Danda).

Significance of the Festivals

The Snana Yatra marks the ceremonial bathing of the deities and is considered one of the holiest occasions in the Jagannath tradition. After the bathing ceremony, the deities are believed to fall ill and remain in seclusion during the Anasara period.

The Rath Yatra is the world-famous chariot festival in which Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra travel from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple in three magnificent wooden chariots. After staying there for several days, the deities return to the main temple during the Bahuda Yatra, completing the annual pilgrimage.

With the official ritual calendar now released, devotees from across India and abroad can begin planning their pilgrimage to witness the grand festivities of Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 in Puri.