While Odisha is still one of the best hidden places to visit in India, there's one annual event that draws the crowds: the iconic Rath Yatra Festival.

Odisha, on India’s east coast, is a state rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. Known for its ancient temples, the state is home to the UNESCO-listed Sun Temple at Konark and the sacred Jagannath Temple in Puri. Despite this, Odisha is considered to be one of the best hidden places to visit in India, as there are very few tourists who venture this far east.

Inland, Odisha offers forested hills and tribal regions where age-old customs and vibrant festivals continue to thrive. As a result, festivals in Odisha are an integral part of its cultural identity, reflecting the state’s spiritual depth and tribal traditions. The most prominent is the Rath Yatra in Puri, a grand chariot festival that draws millions of devotees each year.

What is Rath Yatra and why is it celebrated?

Rath Yatra is a major Hindu festival held each year in Puri, Odisha. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath - a form of Lord Vishnu - the word "Rath" means chariot and "Yatra" means journey.

The festival centres around the ceremonial procession of three huge wooden chariots carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, about 3km away.

This symbolic journey represents the annual visit of the deities to their aunt’s home and is a rare occasion when non-Hindus are allowed to see and touch the idols, which are usually housed inside the temple.

The event attracts massive crowds, and pulling the chariots is considered an act of great devotion. Rath Yatra highlights the inclusive and accessible nature of the Jagannath tradition and has been celebrated for centuries as a vibrant expression of faith and community in Odisha.

Although the three traditional chariots used in the Rath Yatra pilgrimage to Gundicha Temple are usually bigger than the average house, locals will still create their own smaller versions.

What is the real story of Rath Yatra?

The legend of Rath Yatra is rooted in Hindu mythology and local traditions unique to Odisha, focusing on Lord Jagannath, considered a form of Vishnu or Krishna, and his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra.

According to one of the most widely accepted legends, the Rath Yatra commemorates Krishna’s journey from Dwarka to Vrindavan, symbolising his longing to return to his childhood home and reunite with the people who loved him unconditionally.

In the Odia tradition, this idea is represented by the annual journey of Jagannath and his siblings from their temple to the Gundicha Temple, which is said to be the home of their aunt.

Another interpretation ties the Rath Yatra to Queen Gundicha, wife of King Indradyumna, who originally built the Jagannath Temple. The deities’ visit to her namesake temple is seen as an honour to her role in the divine legend.

The journey also symbolises the idea of God stepping out of the sanctum to be among the people, transcending caste and religion, which is why it is one of the few festivals where the deities are accessible to all. The pulling of the chariots by devotees reflects their desire to be part of this divine journey and gain spiritual merit.

Rath Yatra focuses on three key figures in Hindu mythology: Lord Jagannath, considered a form of Vishnu or Krishna, and his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra. Participants will pay their respects in a variety of ways.

What are the special dishes of Rath Yatra?

If you’re spending time in Odisha during the Rath Yatra festival, the chariots aren’t the only highlight of this annual event. In fact, several traditional Odia dishes are prepared and offered to Lord Jagannath as part of the rituals and then shared among devotees.

One of the most significant is Mahaprasad, the sacred food cooked in the Jagannath Temple kitchens. It includes a variety of vegetarian items like rice, dal, mixed vegetables, khichdi, and sweets, all cooked without garlic or onion. Mahaprasad is unique in that it's first offered to the deities and then distributed to pilgrims in a communal setting.

Other special dishes associated with Rath Yatra include:

Khaja - a crispy, layered sweet made from refined flour and sugar syrup, often part of temple offerings.

Dalma - a hearty mix of lentils and vegetables like raw banana, pumpkin, and papaya, seasoned with cumin and ghee.

Khechudi (Khichdi) - a rice and lentil dish cooked with mild spices, served with fried vegetables or papad.

Pakhala Bhata - fermented rice soaked in water, often served with curd and fried sides, especially enjoyed during the summer heat.

Chhena Poda - a baked dessert made from fresh paneer, sugar, and cardamom, said to be a favourite of Lord Jagannath.

While food is an enormous part of Indian culture, its even more apparent when there’s a major annual event or festival on the cards like Rath Yatra.

What should travellers expect from Rath Yatra?

Like many other Hindu events and India festivals, Rath Yatra is slowly gaining the attention of foreign travellers eager to participate in the cultural revelry. Lincoln Harris, Founder and Managing Director of India Unbound, was lucky enough to visit Odisha during Rath Yatra in 2003.

“It’s estimated that more than a million people visit on the main day of the festival. I was eager to get a glimpse of the Jagannath, but this involved gradually working my way forward towards the temple, along with many thousands of other people. Though I have some experience with crowds in India, this was on an entirely new and at times disconcerting scale. Put simply, it was people as far as the eye could see. Luckily, just before I turned back, there was a sudden clash of symbols and one of the three Jagannath’s chariots lurched forward, topped by hundreds of people and pushed by many more. An incredible sight!”

While he acknowledged that the scale of the event was unusual (even for India), Lincoln believes the food of Rath Yatra is worth making the trip in its own right.

“Being a coastal state, seafood featured heavily, including prawns, river and sea fish and crab. Of particular note was a yogurt and eggplant preparation with subtle mango, called Doi Begun. We also enjoyed a substantial veg thali on Rath Yatra, with around twelve different vegetable and dal preparations, and a very naughty sweet called Khaja, consisting of finely layered wheat dough deep fried and soaked in sugar syrup, and finally dropped into a bowl of kher (it tasted better than it sounds). Overall, there were tones of southern cuisines such as Andhra, and of neighbouring Bengali, especially the fish preparations. As with every region in India, there are both distinguishing and common elements to the food - a highlight of my time in Odisha!”

Although Lincoln Harris, veteran traveller and Founder at India Unbound, is no stranger to the crowds and noise levels of India, his experience at Rath Yatra provided him with a whole new benchmark.

When does the Rath Yatra Festival occur?

The Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 will be held on June 27 in Puri, Odisha. The nine-day celebration sees Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra journeying to the Gundicha Temple on giant wooden chariots.

The rituals begin with Pahandi Bije, where the deities are ceremoniously brought out of the sanctum. One of the most revered rituals is Chhera Pahara, where the Gajapati King sweeps the chariot path with a golden broom, symbolising humility.

Other significant rituals include Chandan Yatra, Snana Purnima, and Bahuda Yatra, each adding spiritual depth to this vibrant celebration. For the ultra-organised traveller, Rath Yatra will occur on July 16 in 2026.

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The Legend Behind The Rath Yatra Festival