The deities' three chariots are ready for the sacred Shree Gundicha Yatra
Bhubaneswar: The world-famous Rath Yatra of Mahaprabhu Jagannath will be celebrated on Thursday, July 16, on the auspicious occasion of Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya, as Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Mahaprabhu Sudarshan embark on their sacred annual journey to the Gundicha Temple. The festival marks the divine reunion of the deities with millions of devotees from across the world.
Despite intermittent rainfall, thousands of devotees have already gathered along the Bada Danda (Grand Road), eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra. The three magnificent chariots now stand ready at the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate) of the Shree Jagannath Temple, awaiting the ceremonial Pahandi procession.
The holy town of Puri has been transformed into a sea of devotion, with chants of “Jai Jagannath” reverberating through the Grand Road and creating an atmosphere of unparalleled spiritual fervour. Once every year, Mahaprabhu Jagannath, accompanied by Mahaprabhu Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Mahaprabhu Sudarshan, leaves the Ratna Singhasana (bejewelled throne) inside the sanctum to ascend the grand chariots and bless devotees with His divine darshan.
The Bada Danda is already overflowing with faith and anticipation as pilgrims from across India and abroad arrive in the sacred city carrying prayers, hopes and unwavering devotion. All eyes are now fixed on the much-awaited moment when the deities will emerge from the Srimandir in the traditional Pahandi procession and take their places on the three majestic chariots.
For millions of devotees, Rath Yatra is more than a festival—it is a profound spiritual experience that offers the rare opportunity to witness the Mahaprabhu s outside the temple and seek their blessings. As the three divine chariots await the arrival of the deities, Puri stands ready to witness one of the world’s largest and most revered religious celebrations.
On Wednesday, a day before the world-renowned Rath Yatra, the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri completed the final traditional rituals. Following Tuesday’s Nabajaubana Darshan, a significant ceremony took place where the three chariots were moved from the Ratha Khala to the temple’s Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate).
As per temple tradition, the morning began with daily rituals for Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Mahaprabhu Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Mahaprabhu Sudarshan, followed by the Gopal Ballav and Sakala Dhupa rituals.
Subsequently, servitors carried the sacred ‘Agyanmala’ (garland symbolizing divine permission) from the deities to the three chariots in a traditional procession. This Agyanmala Bije ritual signifies the deities’ formal approval for the annual Rath Yatra to commence.
After the Agyanmala Bije, the three chariots were pulled from their construction site at the Ratha Khala and positioned in front of the Shree Jagannath
Temple’s Singhadwara. With these age-old traditions concluded, all preparations for Thursday’s grand Rath Yatra are in their final stages.
Pahandi at 9:30 AM, chariot pulling from 4 PM; full schedule of rituals
According to the schedule announced by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), the day’s rituals will begin around 9:00 a.m. with the Morning Dhupa at the Bhoga Mandap, followed by the consecration of the three chariots during the morning offering. The Mangalarpana ritual is scheduled for 9:15 a.m.
The much-awaited Pahandi Bije procession, where the sibling deities are ceremonially carried from the Srimandir’s sanctum to their respective chariots amid chants of “Jai Jagannath” and devotional music, is set to commence at 9:30 a.m. This procession will continue until the completion of the midday offering rituals.
Following Pahandi, the representative deities Madanmohan, Mahaprabhu Rama, and Mahaprabhu Krishna will also be taken in a ceremonial procession, in accordance with long-standing temple traditions.
One of Rath Yatra’s most revered rituals, the Chhera Pahanra, will be performed between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. During this sacred ceremony, the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri will symbolically sweep the platforms of the three chariots with a golden broom, underscoring the principle of humility and equality before Mahaprabhu Jagannath.
After Chhera Pahanra, the chariots will be prepared for their journey: ceremonial ropes will be fastened, and the horses and charioteers will take their designated positions.
The pulling of the three chariots is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m., marking the commencement of the deities’ annual journey from the Srimandir to the Gundicha Temple, regarded as the abode of their aunt.
Aravind Padhee, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), announced on Wednesday that all religious rituals and preparations at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri are progressing smoothly and on schedule for the world-famous Rath Yatra.
He expressed confidence that the deities’ Pahandi Bije procession, marking the start of the grand chariot festival, would commence between 9:00 am and 9:30 am on Thursday.
Regarding security and discipline on the chariots, Padhee emphasized that no unauthorized individuals would be permitted to climb them. He also stated that mobile phones are strictly prohibited on the chariots to maintain the sanctity and safety of the rituals.
Padhee added that all activities on the chariots would be videographed, and strict action would be taken against any violations of the guidelines.
Extensive arrangements have been made for both VIPs and general devotees during the Rath Yatra. Padhee assured that the administration is fully prepared to ensure smooth darshan, adequate security, and necessary facilities for all pilgrims.
The SJTA Chief Administrator urged devotees to cooperate with the administration, adhere to official guidelines, and participate peacefully and orderly in the sacred festival.
ADG Soumendra Priyadarshi, tasked with overseeing Rath Yatra arrangements, announced that 13,500 police officials have been deployed, and over 450 CCTV cameras are monitoring the entire city. He stated, “We have established an integrated command and control centre, and more than 450 CCTV cameras are monitoring the city. We have also made the Puri Police chatbot and mobile application available to the public. Furthermore, information will be displayed on LED screens at 65 locations. We have coordinated with the Bhubaneswar Smart City authorities to ensure information reaches people there as well.”
Regarding railway security, comprehensive arrangements and rehearsals have been conducted. These measures are being implemented through coordination between the RPF and the Government Railway Police, with a specific focus on managing the massive crowds that gather on platforms after Rath Yatra concludes. Barricading and personnel deployment have been organized accordingly. Priyadarshi added, “We have coordinated with the Coast Guard and the Indian Navy to ensure Coast Guard patrol ships monitor the Puri coast throughout Rath Yatra.”
The ADG also noted that dewatering pumps have been installed, and water has already been cleared from some sites since this morning. Puri has been experiencing very heavy showers due to a low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Odisha-West Bengal coasts. According to the India Meteorological Department, heavy rain may continue in the city on Rath Yatra day.
The Odisha government has put in place comprehensive arrangements to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of Rath Yatra 2026, Chief Secretary Anu Garg said on Wednesday, affirming that all efforts have been made to provide the best possible services to Mahaprabhu Jagannath and the lakhs of devotees expected to visit Puri.
Describing Rath Yatra as the most significant festival for the people of Odisha, Garg said the government has undertaken meticulous planning over the past several months, focusing on efficient crowd management, improved traffic regulation, enhanced public amenities, and robust safety measures.
“Rath Yatra is the most important occasion for every Odia. The government has taken all-out steps to ensure the best possible services for the Mahaprabhu as well as for devotees coming from across the country,” she said.
She noted that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has been personally reviewing the preparations, while the Law Minister and other senior officials have been closely monitoring on-ground arrangements to ensure all necessary facilities are in place.
Highlighting key improvements this year, Garg said special attention has been given to addressing traffic bottlenecks experienced during previous editions. Additional parking spaces have been created and corrective measures implemented to facilitate smoother vehicular movement.
To enhance public convenience, around 1,200 temporary toilets have been installed across Puri. Special arrangements, including deployment of water pumps, have also been made to prevent waterlogging in case of heavy rainfall.
The government has strengthened healthcare preparedness by setting up hospitals, emergency medical facilities, and heat relief rooms to assist devotees during extreme weather conditions.
Preparations have been underway for the past six to seven months, Garg said, adding that signboards and information displays have been installed across the city to guide pilgrims regarding routes, facilities, and safety protocols.
An Integrated Command and Control Centre will monitor the festival, supported by extensive CCTV surveillance and coordinated response mechanisms. A large deployment of police personnel, executive magistrates, and senior officers has also been planned to ensure effective crowd management and law enforcement.
Expressing confidence, Garg said the government is committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable, and spiritually fulfilling experience for all devotees.
“Everyone will have a smooth darshan. We are making every effort to ensure that the pilgrimage remains safe, seamless, and memorable,” she added.
In a significant digital initiative ahead of Rath Yatra, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday launched the advanced online hundi platform ‘Samarpan’, enabling devotees worldwide to make secure donations to the Shree Jagannath Temple.
The platform was inaugurated at the office of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri. Developed jointly by the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) and SJTA, the system has been integrated with the temple’s official portal to offer a transparent, secure, and user-friendly donation experience.
Speaking after the launch, the Chief Minister described ‘Samarpan’ as a sacred digital bridge connecting millions of devotees across the globe with Mahaprabhu Jagannath. He emphasized that the platform is not just a technological innovation but a step towards strengthening the spiritual bond between devotees and the temple.
“‘Samarpan’ is a transparent platform that connects the devotion and faith of millions of Jagannath devotees worldwide with the temple,” Majhi said.
He added that the funds received through the platform will be used for the development, maintenance, and preservation of the temple and its rich traditions. The initiative is expected to play a crucial role in supporting long-term conservation efforts while simplifying the donation process.
The platform allows devotees to contribute from anywhere using a mobile application or web portal. Users can log in through mobile number-based OTP authentication and choose from multiple payment options, including UPI, internet banking, debit cards, credit cards, and WhatsApp-based payments. Upon successful transactions, devotees can instantly download digital receipts.
Notably, there is no minimum or maximum limit on donations, allowing contributions starting from Re 1. Additionally, donors contributing to the temple’s Repair & Renovation Fund or Corpus Fund can avail applicable income tax benefits by providing their PAN details.
Beyond donations, the ‘Samarpan’ app will serve as a comprehensive digital service platform, offering information on temple rituals, daily schedules, announcements, and updates. It also enables online booking of accommodation at temple-managed Bhakta Nivas facilities in Puri.
The Chief Minister said the initiative reflects the Odisha government’s commitment to transparent, technology-driven, and citizen-centric governance, making spiritual services more accessible to devotees worldwide.
