Bhubaneswar: Preparations for the world-famous Rath Yatra of Mahaprabhu Jagannath have entered the final phase, with the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and Odisha Police putting in place elaborate ritual, security and crowd-management arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the annual festival on July 16.
Ahead of the grand chariot festival, SJTA Chief Administrator Arabindha Padhee announced that this year’s Nabajaubana Darshan (Netrotsava) will be available to devotees for a shorter duration than usual because of the heavy schedule of temple rituals. At the same time, Odisha Police has finalised an extensive security plan, including enhanced surveillance, additional parking facilities and strict access control around the chariots.
Nabajaubana Darshan duration reduced
Following a review of the final Rath Yatra preparations, Padhee informed that devotees will get only limited time for Nabajaubana Darshan on the evening of July 14. He explained that several important rituals are scheduled before the annual Rath Yatra, making it necessary to reduce the duration of both ticketed and Sahanamela (general) darshan.
“Since there is an abundance of rituals this year, the duration of Nabajaubana Darshana or Netrotsaba will be comparatively shorter than previous years. All servitors, the Chhatisha Nijoga and the Srimandir Managing Committee are prioritising the timely completion of the Mahaprabhu’s rituals. We request devotees to cooperate with the temple administration”, Padhee said.
He further announced that darshan of the sibling deities will remain completely closed on July 15 due to the observance of Ubha Amavasya, in accordance with long-standing temple traditions.
Strict restrictions on chariot access
The temple administration has also announced stringent measures to prevent unauthorised access during Rath Yatra. Padhee said no unauthorised person will be permitted to climb the chariots during the festival. Anyone found impersonating a servitor or facilitating unauthorised entry will face strict action.
The SJTA will also strictly enforce the cordon pass system. Any individual entering the restricted security zone without valid authorisation will be respectfully escorted out by security personnel.
The administration has reiterated its ban on the use of mobile phones atop the chariots. The restriction will apply to everyone, including servitors. A dedicated monitoring team has been constituted to ensure strict compliance throughout the festival.
As part of the preparations, the administration has arranged two complete sets of chariot-pulling ropes to ensure the smooth conduct of the Rath Yatra.
Dashamula Modak offered during Anasara rituals
Meanwhile, the traditional Anasara rituals inside the Shree Jagannath Temple are progressing according to schedule.
On the auspicious occasion of Ekadashi, Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Mahaprabhu Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were offered Dashamula Modak, a sacred Ayurvedic preparation believed to aid their recovery from the fever they are said to contract after the ceremonial Snana Purnima.
The offering forms an integral part of the secret healing rituals observed during the Anasara period, when the deities remain away from public view while recuperating before reappearing during Nabajaubana Darshan.
Earlier, on Dashami, the specially prepared Ayurvedic medicine was ceremonially deposited in the temple’s Garada Graha (storehouse). On the same day, the Chaturdha Murti were placed on traditional wooden platforms known as Chaka.
Before administering the medicinal offering, sandalwood brought ceremonially from Raghab Das Mutt was mixed with camphor and saffron inside the Dakshini Ghara. The fragrant paste was then applied to the deities in the traditional Chandan Sarbanga ritual before they received the Dashamula Modak.
Ancient ayurvedic preparation
Dashamula Modak is a sacred Ayurvedic formulation prepared exclusively for the recovery rituals of the sibling deities. The medicine is prepared by the Raj Vaidyas (royal physicians) using ten medicinal herbs and natural ingredients, including Salabarni, Krushnabarni, Gokhara, Bela Patra, Gambhari and several varieties of medicinal tree bark. The preparation reflects the centuries-old tradition of integrating Ayurveda into the temple’s unique ritual practices.
Odisha police completes security preparations
With lakhs of devotees expected to converge on Puri for the annual festival, Odisha Police has completed elaborate security and traffic arrangements.
A high-level review meeting chaired by Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania was held at the Puri Town Hall to assess preparedness for crowd management, security deployment, traffic regulation and emergency response.
ଆଗାମୀ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ରଥଯାତ୍ରା ୨୦୨୬ ର ସୁପରିଚାଳନା ଏବଂ ଭକ୍ତମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ସୁରକ୍ଷିତ ଓ ସୁବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥିତ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ସୁନିଶ୍ଚିତ କରିବା ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟରେ ପୁରୀ ଜିଲ୍ଲାପାଳଙ୍କ ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷତାରେ ପୁରୀ ଟାଉନ ହଲଠାରେ ଜିଲ୍ଲା ପ୍ରଶାସନ ର ସମସ୍ତ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟନିର୍ବାହୀ ଦଣ୍ଡାଧିକାରୀ ଓ ପୁଲିସ ବିଭାଗ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ସମନ୍ୱୟ ବୈଠକ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠିତ ହୋଇଛି pic.twitter.com/93PDJoWJb9
— Collector and District Magistrate Puri (@dm_puri) July 12, 2026
The DGP said the police administration is fully prepared to ensure that the Rath Yatra is conducted in a peaceful, disciplined and incident-free manner. He emphasised that ensuring the safety, security and convenience of devotees remains the administration’s highest priority.
Eight new parking facilities created
Keeping in view the expected increase in pilgrim footfall, authorities have developed eight new parking facilities at different locations across Puri. The DGP directed all police personnel to adopt a patient, courteous and service-oriented approach while assisting devotees during the festival.
Experienced police officers have been deployed at sensitive locations, particularly around the Grand Road and the chariots, to ensure smooth crowd movement and the safe conduct of the chariot-pulling ceremony.
Extensive CCTV surveillance and traffic monitoring
Security arrangements have been further strengthened through an extensive CCTV surveillance network covering major entry points into Puri. Cameras have been installed from Uttara Chhak to Puri, along the Puri-Konark Road, and at major intersections across the town to facilitate real-time monitoring of traffic and crowd movement.
Director, Intelligence, R.P. Koche, stressed the need for effective coordination in traffic management, VIP movement, crowd regulation and security cordons. He instructed officials to maintain continuous communication throughout the festival to ensure prompt response to any situation.
Police personnel asked to maintain service-oriented approach
Additional Director General of Police (Modernisation) Soumendra Priyadarshi instructed police personnel to perform their duties with dedication, discipline and compassion.
He directed officers not to leave their assigned duty points under any circumstances and to remain vigilant even in adverse weather conditions. He also emphasised the importance of efficient crowd management during the chariot-pulling ceremony so that every devotee can participate safely and return with a positive experience.
Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur highlighted that traffic regulation, crowd management, VIP movement and public safety are closely interconnected. He urged all departments to function in close coordination to ensure the smooth movement of devotees and minimise inconvenience during the festival.
Senior officials review final arrangements
The high-level review meeting was attended by several senior police and administrative officials, including ADGP (SAP) Rajesh Kumar, IGP (Crime Branch) Dr Sarthak Sarangi, IGP (Operations) Dr Deepak Kumar, IGP (Training) Anup Kumar Sahu, IG (Northern Range) Satyabrata Bhoi, Puri Collector Dibyajyoti Parida, DIG (Provisioning) Charan Singh Meena, DIG (STF) K. Bishal Singh, DIG (Eastern Range) Pinak Mishra and DIG (Crime Branch) B. Gangadhar, among others.
Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh welcomed the dignitaries at the beginning of the meeting, while IGP (Central Range) Dr Satyajit Naik proposed the vote of thanks.
With the completion of ritual preparations inside the temple and comprehensive administrative and security arrangements outside, Puri is now set to host one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings, where millions of devotees are expected to witness Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Mahaprabhu Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra embark on their sacred journey to the Gundicha Temple.
