The sacred coastal town of Puri in Odisha transformed into a sea of devotion on Friday as lakhs of pilgrims from across India and abroad gathered to witness the world-renowned Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. The annual chariot festival, steeped in centuries-old tradition, commenced with the ceremonial Pahandi procession from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
Authorities estimate that over 10 to 12 lakh devotees are participating in this year’s festivities. To ensure smooth conduct and public safety, the Odisha government has deployed more than 10,000 security personnel, including eight companies of Central Armed Police Forces, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, and NSG snipers positioned on rooftops along the Grand Road.
For the first time, an Integrated Command and Control Centre has been established in Puri, supported by over 275 AI-enabled CCTV cameras monitoring the city and the route to Konark. Drone activity has been strictly prohibited, with several unauthorized drones already seized by authorities.
The festival began with the Pahandi Bije, where the deities were carried in a grand procession to their elaborately decorated wooden chariots stationed outside the temple’s Lion Gate. The chariots will be pulled by devotees along the 2.6-km stretch to the Gundicha Temple, where the deities will reside for a week before returning in the Bahuda Yatra.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended a warm welcome to devotees, urging them to participate with faith and discipline. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed greetings, highlighting the festival’s spiritual and cultural significance.
Similar celebrations are underway in other parts of India, including the inaugural Rath Yatra at the newly inaugurated Jagannath Temple in Digha, West Bengal, and the 148th edition in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel participated in traditional rituals.
Despite intermittent rain forecasts by the IMD, the festive spirit remains undeterred. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has assured that all rituals are proceeding as scheduled, with full cooperation from servitors and civic authorities.
The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, symbolizing inclusivity and divine outreach, as the deities are brought out of the sanctum to bless devotees of all backgrounds.
