Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 — Howrah
The Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri falls on the second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha. Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are drawn in huge wooden chariots to the Gundicha temple.
In 2026, Jagannath Rath Yatra is on Thursday, 16 July 2026.
- Shukla Dwitiya begins: 15 Jul 2026, 11:51 AM
- Shukla Dwitiya ends: 16 Jul 2026, 8:53 AM
Date and timings for Howrah.
How the date is fixed
Jagannath Rath Yatra falls on Shukla Dwitiya of Ashadha. The day is decided by the tithi prevailing at sunrise (udaya tithi). When the tithi touches that time on two days, the day it covers more is used.
Calculated for Howrah. Festival dates can differ by a day between cities and between regional traditions; your family priest's panchang has the final word.
How it is celebrated
Hundreds of thousands pull the chariots with ropes in Puri; the king of Puri sweeps the chariots (chhera pahanra). Smaller rath yatras are held in Ahmedabad, Kolkata and ISKCON temples worldwide. The deities return nine days later in the Bahuda Yatra.
Want a personal reading of your chart? Talk to an experienced astrologer.
Frequently asked questions
When is Jagannath Rath Yatra in 2026?
In 2026, Jagannath Rath Yatra is on Thursday, 16 July 2026. (Howrah)
Why do calendars sometimes show different dates for Jagannath Rath Yatra?
Hindu festivals follow the lunar tithi, which begins and ends at different clock times. Each festival has a rule about which part of the day the tithi must cover — sunrise, midday, dusk or midnight. When the tithi straddles two days, calendars that apply the rule for a different city, or a different tradition, can land on different days. We show the rule we used and the tithi timings so you can check.