More than 1,800 RSS swayamsevaks carried out large-scale seva operations during the 2026 Puri Rath Yatra, ensuring devotee safety through medical aid
Bhubaneswar: Continuing their tradition of selfless service, swayamsevaks of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) remained actively engaged in extensive service activities during the annual Rath Yatra of Mahaprabhu Jagannath in Puri. Amidst the presence of lakhs of devotees, RSS swayamsevaks played a vital role in crowd management and emergency response by forming human chains to facilitate the smooth movement of ambulances. This initiative ensured that devotees who fell ill in the dense crowd were promptly transported to hospitals for immediate medical attention. The dedication and discipline displayed by the swayamsevaks have been widely appreciated from all quarters.
On the occasion of the world-famous Rath Yatra, the Utkal Bipanna Sahayata Samiti, in coordination with the RSS, organised nine categories of service activities, continuing its annual commitment. The services were formally inaugurated on the day of the Rath Yatra at the committee’s primary medical centre in the presence of swayamsevaks engaged in various service roles.
The inauguration ceremony was conducted by RSS Odisha Purv Prant Sanghachalak Samir Kumar Mohanty, Kshetra Seva Pramukh Deepak Kumar Rout and committee secretary V. Krishna Gopal, who lit the ceremonial lamp to mark the commencement of the service initiatives.
Swayamsevaks carried out a wide range of responsibilities in a disciplined and systematic manner. They assisted injured and unconscious devotees by ensuring their immediate admission to hospitals. Human chains were formed within the crowd to create dedicated ambulance corridors, enabling swift medical evacuation. Devotees who fell ill on the Bada Danda were transported via stretchers to nearby ambulances and rushed to hospitals without delay. At the hospitals, swayamsevaks further assisted in coordinating with doctors and providing necessary support as per medical advice.
This year, more than 1,800 swayamsevaks from all 30 districts of Odisha participated in the service efforts. The deployment was carefully structured to ensure efficient management of various operations. Swayamsevaks were assigned to ambulance services in two shifts, while multiple teams managed water distribution and water sprinkling at designated locations to provide relief to devotees. Separate teams handled stretcher services and hospital assistance, ensuring that patients received timely care. A dedicated workforce was also engaged in maintaining cleanliness along the Bada Danda, while a medical team comprising doctors, pharmacists and support staff remained on duty at primary healthcare centres.
A significant number of swayamsevaks were specifically deployed to maintain an uninterrupted ambulance corridor from the chariot route to Medical Square, ensuring smooth passage for emergency vehicles. The primary medical services will continue from the day of the Rath Yatra until the Bahuda Yatra.
In addition to RSS swayamsevaks, more than 500 karyakartas from the Hindu Jagaran Manch also actively participated in the service initiatives during the festival. Senior functionaries, including National Co-Organisation Minister Devendra Ji, Odisha Prant Organisation Minister Tanmaya Dash, Prant Convener Raghunath Barik, Co-Convener Ashish B. Chhotray and Executive Member Subrata Dhal, were present along with other office bearers, contributing to the coordinated service efforts.
The large-scale participation of swayamsevaks from multiple organisations reflects the spirit of seva that lies at the heart of the Rath Yatra. Their coordinated efforts, discipline and dedication ensured that the grand festival was conducted smoothly, providing a safe and supportive environment for millions of devotees who gathered to witness the sacred journey of Mahaprabhu Jagannath.
