Puri Gears Up for Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 with Grand Rituals, Devotee Fervour, and Tight Security

Millions gather as the sacred Chariot Festival begins, with Odisha government ensuring seamless rituals, enhanced security, and cultural vibrancy for the world-renowned event

Bhubaneswar, June 27:
An overwhelming wave of devotion has swept through Puri as lakhs of devotees assemble to witness the commencement of the sacred Jagannath Rath Yatra on Friday. Known as the Shree Gundicha Yatra or the Chariot Festival, this annual celebration is among the most significant and ancient events in the Hindu calendar, held on the second day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the lunar month — an auspicious time symbolizing rising spiritual energy.

The Jagannath Rath Yatra marks the ceremonial journey of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra from their abode at the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, considered by many as their maternal home and a sacred site associated with their divine origin.

According to Jagannath culture scholar Suryanarayan Rath Sharma, “The Rath Yatra is the most ancient chariot festival in the world. It is believed that witnessing Lord Jagannath’s darshan during the Yatra grants moksha, or liberation.”

On this day, devotees joyfully pull the intricately decorated wooden chariots of the deities — Nandighosh for Lord Jagannath, Taladhwaja for Lord Balabhadra, and Darpadalan for Devi Subhadra — along the 3-kilometre stretch of the Bada Danda (Grand Road) to Gundicha Temple. The sight is one of immense religious fervour, with people chanting, singing devotional songs, and dancing in spiritual ecstasy.

Rath Yatra 2025 has already seen several key rituals performed, including Mangala Alati, Mailam, Tadapalagi, and Rosha Homa, followed by Abakasha and Surya Puja — the Sun God’s worship. Other traditional temple rituals such as Dwarapala Puja, Gopala Ballava, and Sakala Dhupa have also been completed. Currently, the Ratha Pratishtha (chariot sanctification) ritual is underway, where servitors ascend the chariots to sprinkle sanctified water and perform other sacred rites.

Dramatic scenes of devotion play out on the streets, with devotees dressed as Lord Shiva and Hanuman dancing vibrantly on Bada Danda. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has extended warm wishes to devotees from across the world, calling the Rath Yatra a symbol of Odisha’s spiritual and cultural grandeur.

To ensure safety and smooth conduct of the event, the Odisha government has implemented comprehensive security and administrative arrangements. “We are fully prepared for a safe and sacred Rath Yatra. All rituals and logistics have been meticulously planned,” said Puri District Collector Sidharth Shankar Swain.

A five-tier security system is in place throughout Puri. Over 200 platoons of police, along with eight companies from the Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force, have been deployed. In total, nearly 10,000 personnel, including Odisha police, Central Armed Police Forces, and Home Guards, are ensuring order and crowd control during the nine-day festival.

In a first for Rath Yatra, an integrated command-and-control system has been installed to monitor real-time crowd and traffic movements. Around 275 AI-powered CCTV cameras have been strategically placed from Uttara Square to Puri Town and along the Puri-Konark corridor. Additionally, an anti-drone system has been activated following the deactivation of seven unauthorized drones earlier by authorities.

As chariots line up to roll and spiritual chants fill the air, Puri transforms into a divine theatre of devotion, heritage, and unity — reaffirming the Rath Yatra’s eternal charm and its unique place in global religious tradition.

Updates on Rath Yatra 2025:

1. Jai Jagannath!
2. Several key rituals of Lord Jagannath — including Mangala Alati, Mailam, Tadapalagi, and Rosha Homa — have been performed this morning at His divine abode, Srimandira, the renowned temple in Puri, Odisha. A short while ago, the Abakasha ritual was completed, and Surya Puja (worship of the Sun God) is currently underway.
3. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has extended his heartfelt Rath Yatra wishes and warmly welcomed all devotees arriving in Puri to witness this world-famous festival.
4. An anti-drone system has been activated in Puri for enhanced security. Earlier, seven unauthorized drones were intercepted and deactivated by the Puri administration.
5. The ‘Ratha Pratishtha’ ritual is currently in progress. Servitors are ascending each of the three chariots to sprinkle sanctified water and conduct other sacred rites. Prior to this, important rituals including Surya Puja, Dwarapala Puja, Gopala Ballava, and Sakala Dhupa were performed inside the Srimandira.
6. The Bada Danda (Grand Road) is alive with spiritual energy as devotees dressed as Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman dance joyfully, celebrating the imminent start of the sacred chariot procession.

Team maverick.