Vaishnava festival
Ratha-yātrā: the festival of the chariots
Jagannātha leaves the temple on a giant chariot pulled by devotees through the streets.
What is celebrated
Ratha-yātrā began in the city of Purī, on the east coast of India, where it has been celebrated for many centuries. Three enormous wooden chariots carry Jagannātha, who is Krishna, His brother Baladeva and His sister Subhadrā from the temple to another shrine, while thousands of people pull the ropes.
For Gaudiyas it has a very specific meaning: it is the moment when the people of Vrindavan take Krishna back home. Caitanya Mahāprabhu took part every year, singing and dancing in front of the chariot.
Śrīla Prabhupāda celebrated it outside India for the first time in San Francisco, in 1967. Today it rolls through the streets of cities all over the world.
How it is celebrated
- There is no fast: it is a day of celebration in the street.
- Anyone can pull the chariot ropes; it is considered great good fortune.
- The procession is accompanied by kīrtan and ends with a distribution of prasādam.
- Each city holds it on a different date over the summer; the one in the calendar is Purī’s.
In 2026 it falls on 16 July 2026, according to the calendar calculated for London. In 2027 it will be on 5 July 2027. Vaishnava dates follow the moon and change every year: check them in the calendar. Each temple organises its own programme; ask at your nearest one.