The sacred city of Puri in Odisha is witnessing one of the most spiritually grand and awaited Hindu festivals in the world—the Rath Yatra or Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannath. It is accompanied by his elder brother, Lord Balabhadra, and younger sister Devi Subhadra.
As per tradition, the divine siblings step out of the sanctum of Shree Jagannath Temple to bless their devotees with darshan on majestic wooden chariots, rolling down the Badadanda (Grand Road) toward their birthplace—Gundicha Temple—nearly 3 kilometers away.
Chariots Ready, Rituals Underway
The three massive chariots—Taladhwaja (Lord Balabhadra), Darpadalana (Devi Subhadra), and Nandighosha (Lord Jagannath)—are lined up at the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate) of the Srimandir. After the ceremonial Pahandi and Chhera Pahanra rituals, the chariot pulling will begin around 4 PM, as scheduled. All three chariots are expected to reach Gundicha Temple before sunset.
The deities will stay at Gundicha Temple for nine days before returning to the Jagannath Temple on July 5 in what is known as the Bahuda Yatra (Return Journey).
Festival of Unity and Universal Devotion
Rath Yatra is not just a ritual—it is a celebration of inclusion, where the Lord comes out to meet all his devotees, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion. The streets of Puri echo with chants of “Jai Jagannath” and “Ho Bhakate” as lakhs of devotees gather to witness this divine journey.
A devotee, Pooja Anand from Mumbai, shared her joy:
“It is an out-of-this-world experience. I’ve been a devotee for 20 years, but this is my first time here. I want to pull the chariot—it’s the one day when the Lord Himself comes out to bless us. Everyone should experience this. The weather is divine—it rained all night, and now it’s perfect.”
With an estimated 13 lakh devotees expected to attend, the Shree Mandir Administration has put in place multi-layer security arrangements to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the festival. Rituals are proceeding inside the temple as per schedule, with continuous coordination among local authorities, volunteers, and pilgrims.
A Living Spiritual Tradition
The Rath Yatra is the most prominent among the 148 annual festivals celebrated at the Puri Jagannath Temple. More than a religious event, it’s a symbol of divine accessibility and spiritual unity.
As the ancient chant beautifully echoes:
“Chaturbhuja Jagannatha, Kantha Sobhita Koustubhaha… Dinabandhur, Dayasindhu, Krupalu Chana Rakshyakah…”
He is Jagannath – the Lord of the Universe, the friend of the downtrodden, the ocean of mercy, and the protector of all.
