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Colourful Rath Yatra chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra
Festivals of Kashi

Rath Yatra in Varanasi

When Lord Jagannath Comes Out to Meet Kashi

Varanasi is known as the city of Lord Shiva, yet Kashi embraces every stream of Indian devotion. Each year during Ashadha, the streets around Rathyatra become the setting for one of the city’s most loved celebrations: the journey of Lord Jagannath with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.

At a glance: The principal celebrations are associated with Shri Jagannath Mandir near Assi and the traditional fair at Rathyatra. The mela is generally held for three days around Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya, usually in June or July. Confirm that year’s programme and traffic arrangements before visiting.

A tradition of more than two centuries

Kashi’s Rath Yatra is inspired by the world-famous festival of Puri, but over time it has acquired a distinctly Banarasi character. The annual tradition is traced to 1802. According to accounts preserved by the temple’s organisers, Tejonidhi Brahmachari came from Puri and established the worship and rituals in Varanasi.

The centre of the celebration is the Jagannath Temple near Assi. On Jyeshtha Purnima, the deities receive a ceremonial bath. In the affectionate language of devotion, Lord Jagannath then becomes unwell and rests away from public darshan for about a fortnight.

In Varanasi, offerings associated with this period include a medicinal preparation made with parwal and tulsi. When the temple doors reopen, devotees celebrate the Lord’s recovery and the journey begins.

Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra during Rath Yatra
Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. Photo: LIPSA GHANA/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. The photograph is from Puri and illustrates the sacred triad worshipped in Varanasi.

From Assi to Beniram Bagh

The deities leave the sanctum and travel from the Assi temple in a palanquin during the ceremonial nagar bhraman. A night halt is made at Pt. Beniram Bagh.

They are then enthroned upon the decorated wooden chariot at Rathyatra, where prayers and aarti mark the opening of the fair. Devotees gather for darshan and take part in pulling the rath.

Rath Yatra carries a tender spiritual message: the Lord does not remain distant inside the temple; he comes into the streets to meet everyone.

The mela: devotion with the flavour of Banaras

The area fills with bells, chants of “Jai Jagannath”, flowers, tulsi leaves, colourful toys, handicrafts and balloons. The best-known local treat is nankhatai—crisp, fragrant biscuits whose temporary stalls have become part of the memory of the Rathyatra Mela.

For many Banarasi families, buying warm nankhatai after darshan is almost a festival ritual of its own.

That mixture of sacred ceremony and neighbourhood festivity is what makes the celebration special. Children come for the fair, elders for darshan, photographers for the colour, and visitors for a living glimpse of Kashi’s inclusive culture.

Three decorated chariots at a Rath Yatra celebration
Representative Rath Yatra scene from Baripada, Odisha. Photo: Sri Sankalpa Mishra/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped automatically by the page layout; no other changes.

How to experience Varanasi’s Rath Yatra

Experience Suggestion
Temple darshan Visit Shri Jagannath Mandir near Assi before the busiest mela hours.
Procession and aarti Reach the Rathyatra area early and follow police barricades and local announcements.
Festival food Try freshly baked nankhatai and carry safe drinking water.
Photography Photograph respectfully, avoid blocking the chariot, and ask before taking close portraits.
Monsoon preparation Wear light clothing and comfortable footwear; carry a compact rain cover.

Important visitor advice

  • Expect heavy crowds and temporary traffic diversions around Rathyatra, Sigra, Gurubagh and adjoining roads.
  • Use public transport or walk from a safe drop-off point; parking close to the mela may be restricted.
  • Keep children and older family members close, and agree upon a meeting point in advance.
  • Do not push toward the chariot or cross security lines.
  • Timings and routes can change; check official local advisories on the day of your visit.

रथयात्रा: काशी की अपनी जगन्नाथ परंपरा

भगवान शिव की नगरी काशी में भगवान जगन्नाथ, बलभद्र और बहन सुभद्रा की रथयात्रा दो शताब्दियों से अधिक पुरानी परंपरा है। अस्सी स्थित जगन्नाथ मंदिर से विग्रह नगर भ्रमण के लिए निकलते हैं, बेनीराम बाग में विश्राम करते हैं और रथयात्रा क्षेत्र में सजे रथ पर विराजमान होते हैं।

तीन दिवसीय मेले में दर्शन, आरती और भक्ति के साथ खिलौने, फूल, तुलसी और बनारसी नानखटाई विशेष आकर्षण होते हैं। यह उत्सव हमें याद दिलाता है कि भगवान स्वयं भक्तों के बीच आते हैं—बिना किसी भेदभाव के सभी को दर्शन देने।

Why this festival belongs on every Varanasi itinerary

Ganga Aarti may be Varanasi’s most photographed ritual, but Rath Yatra reveals another side of the city: a centuries-old neighbourhood tradition still carried by faith, family memories and collective participation.

To stand among the crowd as the decorated chariot appears is to see Kashi not as a monument, but as a living city.

Have you attended the Rathyatra Mela in Varanasi?
Share your memory—especially your favourite nankhatai stall—in the comments.

Sources: Varanasi Rath Yatra history and rituals ; Wikimedia Commons free-image collection . Image licences and credits are given beneath each photograph.