Date of Ratha Yatra

Ratha Yatra is in the month of Asadha (Ashadha), named by Vaisnavas according to the deity of the month, Vamana Deva, Vamana Masa (sometimes written as Vaamana due to diacritics). So in the Gaudiya Calendar it is called Vamana Masa. 

It should be held during the waxing moon part of the month, called Sukla paksa (Shukla) or in the Gaudiya Calendar, Gaura Paksa. The meanings are white (sukla) or golden (gaura), this is describing the waxing moon, who becomes full (or white golden) after 15 days. The official beginning date of the Ratha Yatra Festival is dvitiya or the second day of the waxing moon Sukla paksa in the month of Asadha.

So the exact date of the Ratha Yatra festival, according to the moon calendar, that you can find in the Gaudiya Calendar in the IOS (Apple) App store is: Vamana masa, Gaura paksa, Dvitiya, (Ashada, Shukla, Dvitiya). 

In 2025 the date of the festival falls on, depending on location, Friday the 27th of June. 

The festival is actually an eight day festival as their Lordships are pulled on Vamana masa, Gaura paksa, Dvitiya Tithi, or Friday the 27th of June, and then brought to the Gundica temple, where they stay for 8 days. On the 9th day they are pulled back to the temple.

For more future dates please see the Ratha Yatra in Puri.

ISKCON devotees should be aware of the importance to adhere, as much as possible, to this date and future dates. For more information on the importance to adhering to the official date please read: King of Puri Affirms Dialogue with ISKCON Regarding Rathayatra Date Will Continue