Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra was celebrated with great delight and grandeur by ISKCON Vaikuntha Hill, Vasanthapura, and ISKCON Hare Krishna Dham, Whitefield, on 27 June 2025.
The festivities at ISKCON Vaikuntha Hill commenced at 5 PM, drawing thousands of enthusiastic devotees who gathered to witness and participate in the divine chariot procession of Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra. The celebrations were held in line with the traditions of Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra in Puri.
The three resplendently decorated chariots were worshipped and prepared for the sacred journey. Devotees joyfully had the first darshan of Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra in Their nava-yauvana form—signifying renewed youth—after a fifteen-day period of anavasara (seclusion) following the Snana Yatra.
The Deities were then offered pahandi seva, wherein They were ceremoniously carried to Their respective chariots amidst exuberant kirtans and dancing.
Devotees witnessed darshan and arati of the Deities adorned in splendid attire and ornaments and seated on Their chariots. This was followed by the ceremonial sweeping in front of the chariots, and a graceful nritya seva, an Odissi dance offering performed by a troupe of artists for the pleasure of the Lord and all assembled devotees.
The most anticipated moment arrived as the chariots of Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra began their grand procession. Devotees pulled the chariots with excitement while singing the holy names and dancing ecstatically in glorification of the Lord.
During the Ratha Yatra, offerings of coconuts, fruits, flowers, and various sweets and savouries were made by devotees, and sumptuous prasadam was freely distributed.
The celebrations continued with an enlightening discourse on the significance and historical background of the Ratha Yatra by Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa. The festival concluded with the darshan and arati to the Deities adorned in Suna Besha—a dazzling decoration with golden ornamentation—as devotees sang the Jagannathashtaka, offering heartfelt praises to Lord Jagannatha.
For the first time, ISKCON Hare Krishna Dham, Whitefield, organised the Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra Parade and Carnival, which saw a remarkable turnout of devotees.
The procession began at 4 PM from Prestige Technostar, Brookefield, proceeded past Brigade Lakefront and the SAP Office, and culminated at KTPO Grounds. Devotees joined in large numbers, enthusiastically pulling the chariot while engaging in sankirtana—joyfully singing and dancing for the Lord. All participants were served sumptuous prasadam as part of the celebrations.
We offer our gratitude to Vishwa Guru Srila Prabhupada—Founder-Acharya of ISKCON—who first introduced this ancient festival to the Western world. His pioneering effort has led to Ratha Yatra being celebrated in major cities across the globe today.
Ratha Yatra is an opportunity for devotees to come together in devotional service, purify their hearts, and thus make progress in their spiritual journey. The celebrations at Vaikuntha Hill and Whitefield provided a cherished chance to experience the mercy of Lord Jagannatha.
Watch the complete celebrations here: