Bahuda Yatra 2025: The Sacred Return of Lord Jagannath – Full Date, Time & Ritual Guide

The Bahuda Yatra is a special spiritual event. It takes place in Puri, Odisha. During this festival, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra return to their main temple. The devotees, filled with delight, reverently chant while pulling beautifully adorned chariots of the deities back to Jagannath Temple. 

The Bahuda Yatra is the prominent return of the deities which is marked by pulling the wooden chariots from Gundicha Temple to Jagannath temple. After a week-long stay at the Gundicha Temple, Lord Jagannath's so-called Apostolic home, the deities set upon the joyous journey back towards the Jagaanth temple. This divine event, filled with spiritual fervour and grand rituals, is a key part of the famous Ratha Yatra, one of India's most celebrated festivals. The spectacular Bahuda Yatra, which draws the attention of devotees the world over, will be celebrated on July 5 in 2025.

The Sacred Significance of Bahuda Yatra

After staying for seven days at the Gundicha Temple—believed to be the home of Lord Jagannath’s aunt—the deities begin their return journey to their main temple. This moment is more than just a ritual. It is a sacred symbol of reunion, harmony, and restoring balance in the universe. The festival shows the deep meaning of Sanatan (eternal) traditions. Every action, chant, and movement has spiritual importance and connects to ancient beliefs.

The devotees pull the magnificent, artistically carved wooden chariots—Nandighosha for Jagannath, Taladhwaja for Balabhadra, and Darpadalan for Subhadra—with immense devotion and fervor. While the chariots are brought forth into the streets, the city of Puri is transformed into a vibrant temple with bhajans, chants, and traditional drums. 

Key Dates and Rituals of Bahuda Yatra 2025

These five days preceding the Bahuda Yatra 2025 are marked with special rituals, which are essential to the event as they are deeply meaningful on a spiritual level.

• Hera Panchami (July 1, 2025): Lakshmi, the goddess of fortunes, symbolically shows her discontent for Jagannath for staying away for so long.

• Dakshina Moda (July 2–3, 2025): The southward turning of the chariots towards the Shree Jagannath Temple, marking the readiness for return.

• Sandhya Darshan (July 4, 2025): Devotees get a final, sacred glimpse of the deities at the Gundicha Temple before they return.

• Bahuda Yatra (July 5, 2025): The grand return procession back to the Shree Jagannath Temple.

These ceremonial acts demonstrate social actions alongside the ritualistic ethics of Sanatangyan traditions and illustrate the relationship between divinity and mortals , worshipping God and God-ess-es with an intimate bond. 

Cultural and Spiritual Essence

For a Sanatangyan devotee, the Bahuda Yatra is more than just a journey. It is a strong spiritual event. People believe it cleans away sins and brings divine blessings. Pulling the chariots is seen as a very good deed. According to tradition, this act can help end the cycle of rebirth and connect the soul with higher awareness and harmony in the universe.

The atmosphere during the Yatra is electric. Devotees chant sacred mantras, sing bhajans, and participate in martial arts displays and folk performances. The scent of incense and the blaring of conch shells fills the air. Over one million people gather to experience a oneness of spirituality. This specific event exemplifies and celebrates the devotion and unity of Sanatangyan dharma.

Symbolism and Return to Cosmic Order

When the deities return to the Shree Jagannath Temple, they are reunited with Goddess Lakshmi. This reunion shows the balance between divine male and female energies. It is a very important part of Sanatangyan belief. It represents a return to dharma, which means righteousness and divine order.

The chariot journey is metaphorical as well, illustrating the soul's journey through life’s ups and downs, eventually returning to the source—the divine. For the devotees this event has a special meaning. It reminds them that life is temporary. But the soul is eternal and lasts forever.

The Bahuda Yatra 2025 is more than a ritual procession—it is a profound celebration of devotion, cosmic balance, and spiritual renewal. When Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra return to their sacred home, the festival reminds everyone of important Sanatangyan values: unity, dharma (righteousness), and the soul’s path to divine harmony. For millions of people, it is a time to think deeply, celebrate with joy, and renew their faith in the timeless flow of the universe.