Jagannath Rath Yatra 2012
The chariot festival of Puri on Ashadha Shukla Dvitiya.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)05:08
- Sunset18:51
- Fasting window (tithi)2012-06-20 · 22:11 → 23:18
- Parana (tithi ends)23:18
Festival days follow the classical attribution rules — udaya (sunrise), pradosha (evening), nishita (midnight), madhyahna or aparahna vyapini as each festival prescribes — computed for Kashi/Varanasi (IST). Regional observance can differ by a day in some years.
Read the Jagannath Rath Yatra puja vidhi, vrat rules and kathaJagannath Rath Yatra — Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Jagannath Rath Yatra celebrated?
On the Dvitiya of the Shukla Paksha of Ashadha, at the start of the monsoon — the second day of the bright fortnight. For this year's date, see the date shown above.
Which deities ride in the Rath Yatra?
Three: Jagannath (a form of Krishna or Vishnu), his elder brother Balabhadra, and their sister Subhadra. Each has a distinct chariot — Nandighosa, Taladhwaja and Darpadalana — built anew every year.
Why is pulling the chariot considered auspicious?
On this day the deities leave the sanctum and come out to the people, and anyone of any standing may pull the ropes and have their darshan in the open. Drawing the chariot, especially Jagannath's Nandighosa, is held to be a great blessing.
Where do the deities travel during the Rath Yatra?
From the Jagannath temple in Puri to the Gundicha temple, held to be their aunt's home or birthplace, where they stay some days before the return journey, the Bahuda Yatra.
Other major festivals in 2012
- Makar Sankranti — 15 January 2012
- Vasant Panchami — 28 January 2012
- Maha Shivaratri — 20 February 2012
- Holika Dahan — 7 March 2012
- Holi — 9 March 2012
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 23 March 2012
- Ram Navami — 1 April 2012
- Akshaya Tritiya — 24 April 2012
- Guru Purnima — 3 July 2012
- Nag Panchami — 24 July 2012
- Raksha Bandhan — 2 August 2012
- Krishna Janmashtami — 8 September 2012
- Hartalika Teej — 18 September 2012
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 19 September 2012
- Anant Chaturdashi — 29 September 2012
- Pitru Paksha begins — 1 October 2012
- Sharad Navratri begins — 16 October 2012
- Durga Ashtami — 22 October 2012
- Maha Navami — 23 October 2012
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 24 October 2012
- Karwa Chauth — 2 November 2012
- Dhanteras — 11 November 2012
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — 13 November 2012
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 13 November 2012
- Govardhan Puja — 14 November 2012
- Bhai Dooj — 15 November 2012
- Chhath Puja — 19 November 2012
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 28 November 2012
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 28 November 2012
- Hindu Festivals 2012 →