Bhubaneswar: With just seven days remaining for the world-renowned Rath Yatra 2026, preparations for one of Bharat’s largest and most revered religious festivals have entered the final phase. While artisans and traditional servitors are working round the clock to complete the three majestic chariots of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Mahaprabhu Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, the Odisha Police and central security agencies have simultaneously rolled out an unprecedented multi-layered security plan to ensure a safe, peaceful and incident-free festival.
Scheduled to be held on July 16, the annual Rath Yatra is expected to attract millions of devotees from across Bharat and abroad.
Chariot Construction Enters Final Week
The Rath Khala, the traditional chariot construction yard located opposite the Shree Jagannath Temple office on the Grand Road (Bada Danda), is witnessing intense activity as servitors race against time to complete the remaining work.
On the 79th day of chariot construction, Maharana servitors resumed work under the guidance of the Chief Maharana and achieved a significant milestone by completing all 30 Rath Moda Chaka Phali (wheel guide blocks)—ten for each of the three chariots.
ମହାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ନବଦିନାତ୍ମକ ଯାତ୍ରା: ଆଉ ମାତ୍ର ୮ ଦିନର ଅପେକ୍ଷା#RathaYatra2026 #Jagannath #JaiJagannath #RathaYatra #Puri #ShreeJagannath #LordJagannath #Countdown #8DaysToGo #FestivalOfChariots #Odisha #SpiritualJourney #Culture #Devotion pic.twitter.com/3mEtnINfr1
— Collector and District Magistrate Puri (@dm_puri) July 8, 2026
These specially designed wooden guide blocks are an essential component of the Rath Yatra. During the ceremonial pulling of the massive chariots, if a chariot deviates from its designated path, the Bhoi servitors use these guide blocks under the supervision of experienced chariot guides to safely redirect the wheels and bring the chariot back onto its intended course. Their completion marks an important stage in the readiness of the chariots.
Artisans Give Final Touches to the Three Chariots
Alongside the structural work, the artistic embellishment of the chariots is progressing rapidly.
The Maharana servitors have completed cleaning and finishing work on the altar platforms (Vedi) before the installation of the ceremonial Bije Chaka, which forms an integral part of the chariot’s sacred structure.
ଶ୍ରୀଜୀଉଙ୍କ ବିଶ୍ୱପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ଶ୍ରୀଗୁଣ୍ଡିଚା ଯାତ୍ରାକୁ ଆଉ ମାତ୍ର ୮ ଦିନର ଅପେକ୍ଷା।
ଜୟ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ। 🙏#RathaJatra #JaiJagannatha #RathaJatra2026 #RathaYatra #ShreeJagannathaDhaam pic.twitter.com/jQ9PPYmiF3
— Shree Jagannatha Temple Office, Puri (@SJTA_Puri) July 8, 2026
Meanwhile, Chitrakar servitors are applying the final layers of paint to the beautifully carved Prabha (decorative back panels), including colourful depictions of various deities. Painting work is also nearing completion on the wheels, axles, poles, upper structural components, brake pulleys, horses, charioteers and other decorative wooden elements of the three chariots.
The vibrant colours and intricate traditional artwork will soon transform the towering wooden structures into the iconic chariots that carry the sibling deities during the annual procession.
Tailors and Blacksmiths Continue Traditional Craftsmanship
The Darji servitors have completed the Bilasa Patti decoration on the remaining Batakana cloth of the Nandighosha chariot, the chariot of Mahaprabhu Jagannath. They are now stitching intricate floral motifs, creepers, Pola Mudra, and Pola Chadar on the decorative door canopies and Chandrashala coverings of all three chariots.
ଶ୍ରୀବିଗ୍ରହଙ୍କ ତିନି ରଥର ପ୍ରଭାଗୁଡ଼ିକର ରଙ୍ଗ ଚିତ୍ର କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଜାରି ରହିଛି।
ଜୟ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ। 🙏#RathaJatra #JaiJagannatha #RathaJatra2026 #RathaYatra #ShreeJagannathaDhaam #Puri pic.twitter.com/2lc4wDhgpx
— Shree Jagannatha Temple Office, Puri (@SJTA_Puri) July 4, 2026
At the temporary blacksmith workshop near Dolabedi, the Ojha Kamara servitors continue forging essential iron fittings, nails and emergency hardware required during the Rath Yatra.
ଚିତ୍ରକାର ସେବକମାନଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ରଥତ୍ରୟର ପ୍ରଭାଗୁଡ଼ିକରେ ରଙ୍ଗ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ହୋଇଛି।#Rathayatra2026 #JaiJagannatha #RathaJatra2026 #RathaYatra #ShreeJagannathaDhaam #Puri pic.twitter.com/1IcqHJZvnP
— Shree Jagannatha Temple Office, Puri (@SJTA_Puri) July 8, 2026
The Pahi Maharana servitors have completed the preparation of ritual implements required for the festival and are now manufacturing wooden equipment that will be used at the Gundicha Temple, the destination of the annual procession.
244 Servitors Working Round the Clock
The construction of the three chariots continues to be a remarkable example of traditional craftsmanship and devotion.
ପବିତ୍ର ଶ୍ରୀଗୁଣ୍ଡିଚା ଯାତ୍ରା ପାଇଁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ମନ୍ଦିର ପ୍ରଶାସନ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟାଳୟରେ ଦରଜି ସେବକଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ତିନି ରଥର ରଥକନା କଟା ଓ ସିଲାଇ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଜାରି ରହିଛି।
ଜୟ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ।🙏#RathaJatra #JaiJagannatha #RathaJatra2026 #RathaYatra #ShreeJagannathaDhaam #Puri pic.twitter.com/RmQ3c9iEFl
— Shree Jagannatha Temple Office, Puri (@SJTA_Puri) July 4, 2026
A total of 244 servitors and artisans are currently engaged in the construction process. The workforce comprises 78 Maharana servitors, 76 Bhoi servitors, four Karatia servitors, 21 Rupakara servitors, 20 Ojha Kamara servitors, two wheel-boring craftsmen, two Pahi Maharanas, 40 Chitrakar servitors and one Rath Khala assistant.
Working with dedication and adherence to centuries-old rituals, the servitors are ensuring that every component of the chariots is completed according to traditional specifications.
On the day of Rath Yatra, Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Mahaprabhu Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Sudarshan will ceremonially leave the Ratna Singhasana inside the Shree Jagannath Temple and travel to the Gundicha Temple aboard their magnificently decorated chariots.
Odisha Police Finalises Comprehensive Security Plan
While preparations at the Rath Khala are nearing completion, the Odisha Police has intensified security planning to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.
A high-level coordination meeting chaired by Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania was held at the State Police Headquarters to review the overall security strategy.
The meeting brought together senior officials of the Odisha Police along with representatives from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Railway Protection Force (RPF), Indian Coast Guard, and other central agencies.
Officials reviewed every aspect of security management for the annual festival, which attracts one of the largest religious gatherings in the country.
Three-Tier Security Architecture Planned
The meeting finalised an elaborate three-tier security system covering surveillance from land, sea and air.
Officials reviewed crowd management plans, traffic regulation, emergency response mechanisms and inter-agency coordination to ensure seamless movement of devotees and smooth conduct of the chariot procession.
The deployment strategy of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), National Security Guard (NSG) teams and NSG Quick Response Teams (QRTs) also came under detailed discussion.
The DGP directed the Odisha Police, Railway Protection Force and Indian Coast Guard to maintain close coordination throughout the festival.
Advanced Anti-Terror Measures in Place
Given the scale of the event, authorities are leaving little to chance. To counter any possible terrorist threat, joint maritime patrolling will be carried out by the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and Odisha Police’s Marine Police.
Quick Response Teams will remain deployed aboard vessels operating in coastal waters, while drone surveillance will complement ground security.
Authorities have also decided to deploy advanced Anti-Drone Systems to detect and neutralise unauthorised aerial objects, preventing illegal drone operations over sensitive locations during the festival.
Anti-sabotage checks will be intensified at all strategic locations, with security personnel maintaining heightened vigilance over suspicious activities.
Bomb Disposal Squads and sniffer dog teams will remain on high alert throughout the festival to respond immediately to any emergency.
Enhanced Crowd and Temple Security
Security arrangements around the Shree Jagannath Temple and the Grand Road have also been strengthened.
Authorities plan to deploy armoured security vehicles near the temple, along with K-9 squads, NSG-trained Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel and Special Tactical Unit (STU) teams.
Special crowd management measures are being implemented to prevent stampede-like situations during the massive gathering.
The discussions also covered barricading arrangements, accommodation facilities for thousands of deployed security personnel, systematic chariot pulling, coordination with the district administration and dedicated arrangements to facilitate smooth darshan for devotees.
Crime Prevention Among Top Priorities
Apart from crowd management, police have prioritised crime prevention during the festival.
DGP Khurania directed officers to initiate strict action against habitual offenders involved in pickpocketing, theft and robbery, particularly at railway stations and aboard trains.
Photographs of identified criminals will be displayed at prominent public places, railway stations and railway police stations. Copies of these photographs will also be shared with the Railway Protection Force to strengthen surveillance.
Special police drives will be conducted across all police station jurisdictions in Puri.
Authorities have also ordered intensive inspections at hotels, lodges, monasteries, temples, bus stands, railway stations, labour accommodations and dharamshalas to identify suspicious persons and prevent criminal activities.
The DGP instructed senior officers to maintain continuous monitoring of every operational aspect and ensure flawless execution of the security plan during the festival.
Anti-Terror Mock Drill Conducted at Puri Railway Station
As part of its preparedness, security agencies conducted a comprehensive anti-terror mock drill at Puri Railway Station, one of the busiest transit points during the Rath Yatra.
The exercise simulated a terrorist attack to assess emergency preparedness, evaluate coordination among various agencies and strengthen response capabilities in case of any security breach.
The drill involved personnel from the Special Tactical Unit (STU), Puri Police, Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway Protection Force (RPF), Fire Services, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and medical teams.
The participating agencies carried out coordinated search operations, rescue missions, evacuation procedures and emergency response exercises designed to test real-time preparedness.
Officials Stress Preparedness and Coordination
Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh said ensuring the safety of lakhs of devotees remains the highest priority during the Rath Yatra.
He said the administration is focusing on crowd management, traffic regulation and preparedness for any untoward incident. Specialised teams, including NSG personnel and the Special Tactical Unit, have been deployed to respond swiftly to any emergency.
According to the SP, district police will act as the primary responders across Puri district, while the GRP and RPF will oversee security and coordination at the railway station.
He added that the mock drills are helping authorities evaluate coordination among departments, assess response time and identify operational gaps requiring improvement.
Similar emergency drills are also being conducted at hotels and along the Grand Road to ensure every stakeholder is prepared before the arrival of millions of devotees.
Countdown Begins for the Grand Festival
With only a week left before the ceremonial journey of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Mahaprabhu Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra begins, preparations in Puri have reached their most crucial stage.
As traditional artisans complete the centuries-old process of constructing the sacred chariots, security agencies are simultaneously putting the finishing touches on one of the largest coordinated security operations ever undertaken for the annual festival.
The combination of meticulous traditional craftsmanship and extensive modern security planning reflects the state’s commitment to ensuring that Rath Yatra 2026 is conducted with devotion, discipline and complete safety for millions of devotees expected to witness the grand spectacle.
