The Ratha Katha Anukula Puja for the 2026 Puri Rath Yatra was successfully performed on January 23, 2026, coinciding with the auspicious festival of Basant Panchami (Saraswati Puja).
This sacred ritual marks the ceremonial beginning of chariot construction, during which three 12-foot-long Dhaura wood logs are worshipped in front of the Shree Jagannath Temple office.
Ritual Highlights:
The ceremony took place at Rathkhala, located in front of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) office in Puri. Following special prayers to Maa Saraswati, the royal priests (Raja Purohita) and Stotriya Brahmins performed ‘Bandapana’ where the priest washes the wood with coconut water, anoints it with sandalwood paste and flowers to decorate the new logs of wood. While the wood was consecrated in January, the actual cutting of logs (Ratha Katha Chirata) is scheduled for Ramanavami, 26th March 2026, and the full construction of the three grand chariots will begin on Akshaya Tritiya, 19th April 2026.
Jai Jagannath!
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Comment On Ratha Yatra 2026 First Update
natarajan agoram
Anxiously waiting for the same
#jaijagannath
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