Events of Digha Jagannath Temple

Rath Yatra

The Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival) is the most spectacular festival at Digha Jagannath Temple, attracting thousands of devotees. The deities are taken out in grand procession on three magnificently decorated chariots from the temple to the Gundicha Temple (Mausi Maa Temple) where they stay for seven days.

Snana Yatra

Snana Yatra is the ceremonial bathing festival of Lord Jagannath, observed on the full moon day of the month of Jyestha. The deities are brought out in a procession to the Snana Bedi (bathing platform) where they are bathed with 108 pots of sacred water drawn from the temple well mixed with herbs and fragrances.

After the Snana Yatra, the deities remain in seclusion for 15 days (known as Anasara) when they are believed to fall ill from the extensive bathing. During this period, special herbal treatments are applied to the deities.

Janmashtami

Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna (an avatar of Lord Jagannath). The temple remains open throughout the night with special decorations, cultural programs, and devotional singing. The main celebration occurs at midnight when Lord Krishna is believed to have been born.

Devotees observe fasting until midnight when the birth ceremony concludes. The temple kitchen prepares special sweet offerings (mainly milk products) for this festival.