Events & Festivals
Explore the temple's annual calendar, from major Jagannatha celebrations to regular pujas, ceremonies, and community gatherings.
Calendar
June 2026
June
29
Debsnana Purnima (Snana Jatra, Gajanana Besa, Anabasara Arambha)
29 June 2026
The sacred bathing festival of Lord Jagannatha. The deities are bathed with 108 pitchers of consecrated water, after which they are adorned in the special Gajanana (elephant) form and retire into Anabasara for 15 days.
June
30
Mahaprabhu nka Pati Dian Darshana
30 June 2026 to 13 July 2026
During Anabasara, the deities rest in seclusion. Devotees are blessed with Pati Dian Darshana — viewing the painted representations of the deities on the closed door.
Calendar
July 2026
July
14
Netra Utsava and Naba Jaubana Darshana
14 July 2026
Netra Utsava marks the end of Anabasara — the deities' eyes are newly painted and their youthful forms (Naba Jaubana) are revealed to devotees for the first time before Rath Yatra.
July
16
Ratha Jatra — Darshana at Temple
16 July 2026
Lord Jagannatha's chariot festival. Special darshan and puja at the temple on the auspicious day of Ratha Jatra.
July
19
Sydney Ratha Jatra — at Blacktown Showground
19 July 2026
Sydney's grand public Ratha Jatra celebration at Blacktown Showground — chariot procession, cultural performances, prasadam, and community festivities.
July
25
Bahuda Jatra, Niladri Bije and Suna Besha
25 July 2026
The return journey of Lord Jagannatha to the main temple (Bahuda Jatra), followed by the golden jewellery adornment (Suna Besha) and the final homecoming (Niladri Bije).
Calendar
August 2026
Aug
28
Rakhi Purnima and Badathakura Balabhadra Jayanti
28 August 2026
Raksha Bandhan — celebrating the bond of siblings — coincides with the birth anniversary of Lord Balabhadra (Balarama), the elder brother of Lord Jagannatha.
Calendar
September 2026
Sept
4
Srikrushna Janmastami
4 September 2026
The birth anniversary of Lord Krishna — celebrated with midnight abhisheka, bhajans, and joyful festivities marking the divine appearance of the Lord.
Sept
14
Ganesh Puja and Bali Tritiya
14 September 2026
Ganesh Chaturthi — celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha — followed by Bali Tritiya, the third day of special observances in the Odia tradition.
Calendar
October 2026
Oct
21
Bijayadasami, Dussehera and Mahaprabhu nka Raja Rajeswara Suna Besa
21 October 2026
Vijayadasami (Dussehra) celebrates the victory of good over evil. At the Jagannatha temple, Lord Jagannatha is adorned in the majestic Raja Rajeswara Suna Besa (golden royal ornaments).
Oct
25
Gajalaxmi Puja
25 October 2026
Gajalaxmi Puja honours Goddess Lakshmi in her Gajalakshmi form — flanked by elephants — on the second day of Navratri Lakshmi observances.
Oct
26
Kumara Purnima and Kumarostava
26 October 2026
Kumar Purnima — the full moon of Kartika — celebrated with the Kumarostava festival honouring young unmarried women and the god Kartikeya.
Calendar
November 2026
Nov
7
Dhanwantari Jayanti and Dhanteras
7 November 2026
Dhanwantari Jayanti celebrates the birth of Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician and god of Ayurveda. Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali celebrations.
Nov
8
Shyamakali Puja and Deepavali
8 November 2026
Deepavali — the Festival of Lights — celebrated with lamps, fireworks, sweets, and prayers to Goddess Lakshmi. Shyamakali Puja honours the fierce and protective form of the Goddess.
Nov
24
Kartika Purnima and Boita Bandana Utsava
24 November 2026
Kartika Purnima is the full moon of the auspicious Kartika month. Boita Bandana is the unique Odia tradition of floating miniature boats at dawn, honouring ancient maritime heritage.
Calendar
January 2027
Jan
14
Makar Sankranti
14 January 2027
Makar Sankranti marks the sun's transition into Capricorn — the beginning of Uttarayana, celebrated with special pujas, sesame sweets, and kite flying.
Calendar
February 2027
Feb
11
Ratha Katha Anukula and Saraswati Puja
11 February 2027
Vasant Panchami — Saraswati Puja celebrates the goddess of knowledge and arts. Ratha Katha Anukula marks the auspicious storytelling ceremonies associated with the new Rath Yatra cycle.
Calendar
March 2027
Mar
6
Maha Shiva Ratri
6 March 2027
The great night of Lord Shiva — devotees fast, chant Om Namah Shivaya, and offer bilva leaves and water in all-night vigil to the Shivalinga.
Mar
22
Dola Purnima and Holi
22 March 2027
Dola Purnima celebrates Lord Jagannatha's swing festival (Dola Jatra) — the deities are placed on a flower-decorated swing (dola). Holi celebrates the victory of devotion over evil with colours.
Archive
Past events
Previous festivals and ceremonies are kept here for reference and do not link to active event detail pages.
Past Calendar
May 2026
May
16
Sabitri Brata
16 May 2026
Savitri Brata is observed by married women for the longevity and well-being of their husbands, commemorating the devotion of Savitri who reclaimed her husband Satyavan from Yama.
Past Calendar
April 2026
Apr
20
Akshya Trutiya (Ratha Khala Anukula)
20 April 2026
Akshaya Tritiya marks the auspicious beginning of chariot construction (Ratha Khala Anukula) for Rath Yatra. Devotees offer new grain and perform special prayers.