Puri Rath Yatra doesn’t end with the first procession. The days that follow have their own rhythm and their own reasons to be there. Missing the July 16 chariot procession doesn’t mean missing Rath Yatra. The festival runs through July 28, so if that date already slipped past you, there is still a trip left to take, just a different one than you originally planned.
And if you’re travelling from the USA, book last minute flights to India on Tripbeam.
What’s Still Ahead in the Rath Yatra Calendar
Right now, Puri sits mid-festival. The deities are resting at Gundicha Temple until Bahuda Yatra brings them back toward the main temple. Between now and then, two smaller but striking events remain: Hera Panchami on July 20, when Goddess Lakshmi symbolically searches for Lord Jagannath, and Suna Besha on July 23, when the deities are adorned in gold ornaments on their chariots. Bahuda Yatra follows on July 24, and the festival officially closes with Niladri Bijay on July 28.
Neither Hera Panchami nor Suna Besha draws anywhere near the crowd size of the opening procession. And if you’re thinking about booking last minute flights, that is good news: smaller crowds, easier hotel bookings, and a bit more breathing room once you land.
Why Fares May Not Have Peaked Yet
Airlines release their cheapest fare classes first, then move to pricier ones as seats fill up. Once the main procession passes, the crowds thin and fares often settle. Don’t wait too long though — prices climb again as Bahuda Yatra gets closer. Book your flight to Bhubaneshwar when you find a fare that works for you.
Getting to Puri Quickly
Puri itself has no commercial airport, so fly into Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI) in Bhubaneswar instead. It sits about 60 km from Puri, roughly 60 to 90 minutes away by taxi, cab, or private transfer. If you’re flying from the US, you can book cheap flights to India through Tripbeam.
Three Ways to Save on a Last Minute Flight Booking
Compare multiple airlines at once – Prices shift throughout the day, so checking several carriers side by side beats refreshing one airline’s site repeatedly.
Stay flexible by a day or two – Since Bahuda Yatra will likely push fares up again as it nears, flying a day earlier or later than your first choice can make a real difference.
Don’t dismiss one-stop flights – Nonstop feels faster, but the price gap for a two or three hour difference can be substantial, especially if you’re considering last minute travel to Puri.
What’s Worth Flying In For
Suna Besha alone justifies the trip if gold-adorned chariots glowing against the evening sky sounds like something you’d remember for years. Bahuda Yatra, the return journey, draws a real crowd too, smaller than the opening procession, but still significant enough that booking accommodations near Grand Road early matters if this is your target date.
A Few Things You Must Know Before You Go
July is monsoon season in Odisha, so pack a rain jacket rather than hoping for clear skies. Carry both cash and a payment app, since smaller vendors near the temple area often prefer cash over cards. Confirm your Bhubaneswar airport transfer before you land instead of arranging it on arrival, transport options fill up fast once the festival crowd is in town.
Bottom Line
If July 16 came and went without you, Rath Yatra isn’t actually over. Hera Panchami, Suna Besha, and Bahuda Yatra all still lie ahead, and last minute flights to Bhubaneswar are worth booking now, before the return journey pulls demand back up. Book once you find a fare that works for your schedule rather than waiting for a better one that might not show up in time.
If you’re ready to make the trip to Puri, contact Tripbeam and book before Bahuda Yatra brings another surge in demand.
FAQs
Q1) Is it too late to attend Rath Yatra 2026?
A) The main procession rolls on July 16, but Rath Yatra doesn’t wrap up until July 28. Hera Panchami, Suna Besha, Bahuda Yatra, Niladri Bijay — each one is a separate event worth planning around. Check the festival calendar before you book so you know exactly what you’re arriving for.
Q2) Which is the closest airport to Puri?
A) Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI) in Bhubaneswar, about 60 km away and roughly 60 to 90 minutes by road.
Q3) Will flights still be expensive this late in the festival?
A) Possibly less than during the July 16 peak, since that crowd has already come and gone. Expect prices to rise again as Bahuda Yatra on July 24 approaches.
Q4) What should I see if I missed the main procession?
A) Suna Besha on July 23 and Bahuda Yatra on July 24 are both worth attending. Crowds are smaller than opening day, but the experience is still genuinely memorable.
Q5) Can I still find hotels in Puri this close to the festival?
A) Rooms near Grand Road book up fastest, so check availability as soon as you decide on dates. Staying slightly further out and arranging transport is a reasonable backup if central options are full.
