Every year on the auspicious day of Ashadh Sud 2, in early July, Rath Yatra festival is celebrated at Jagannath Puri in the state of Orissa. The Jagannath temple in Ahmedabad also organizes the Rath Yatra. This year the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad falls on July 14, 2018.
Rath Yatra Ritual Dates for 2018
Sri Gundicha: July 14. Placement of the deities in the chariots and journey to Gundicha Temple. The first chariot to move is that of Lord Balabhadra. Next is Subhadra’s, and last Lord Jagannath’s.
Hera Panchami: July 17. Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Jagannath, gets concerned because he hasn’t come back. Irritated, she goes to Gundicha Temple to find him and see what’s going on.
Bahuda Yatra: July 22. The grand return journey to the Lion’s Gate entrance of Jagannath Temple. The chariots are drawn in reverse order.
SunaBesha: July 23. Decoration of the deities in gold ornaments. (This is a particularly popular ritual).
AdharaPana: July 24. Offering the deities a healthy support drink.
NiladriBijay: July 26. Deities are placed back inside Jagan
Best thing about Puri Rath Yatra is that, in this typical Hindu temple other religious people are not allowed, so it is the only time when other religious people get chance to take a view of Lords from necked eyes and even get blessing from them.
