Three chariots carrying the deities have arrived in front of the Shree Gundicha Temple.
Bhubaneswar: The grand annual Rath Yatra in Puri entered a significant phase on Friday as the majestic chariots of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Mahaprabhu Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra successfully reached the Gundicha Temple, marking the completion of their ceremonial journey along the Grand Road (Bada Danda). Despite the shadow of two unfortunate deaths reported a day earlier, lakhs of devotees gathered with unwavering faith to participate in the sacred procession.
According to officials, all three chariots safely arrived at Saradha Bali near Gundicha Temple by approximately 2:45 PM. The chariot-pulling resumed around 9:40 AM after being halted on Thursday evening due to delays in rituals. Around five lakh devotees actively participated in pulling the chariots, transforming the Grand Road into a sea of humanity.
Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania confirmed that the procession concluded smoothly without any untoward incidents on Friday. “With the blessings of Mahaprabhu, the rituals were conducted peacefully, and all three chariots reached their destination safely,” he said.
The ceremonial pulling of the towering wooden chariots had originally commenced on Thursday afternoon. However, the rituals extended beyond scheduled hours, forcing authorities to suspend the procession for the night.
By the end of Thursday’s events, the chariots had halted at various points along the Grand Road. Mahaprabhu Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja stopped near Market Chhak, Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana paused at Marchikote Chhak, while Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s Nandighosha had moved only a short distance from the main temple.
The procession resumed early Friday morning amid chants of “Jai Jagannath,” with lakhs of devotees lining the route. The remaining stretch was completed under tight security arrangements, ensuring smooth movement of the massive chariots.
Authorities implemented extensive security arrangements to manage the massive influx of devotees. Over 10,000–12,000 police personnel were deployed across Puri, supported by CCTV surveillance, AI-enabled cameras, drones, and designated evacuation corridors.
Temporary medical camps and LED display systems were also set up to assist devotees and provide real-time information.
DGP Khurania emphasised the importance of public cooperation in preventing crowd-related incidents. He urged devotees to maintain movement after darshan and avoid staying in one place for extended periods.
“We have created rotational systems for smooth movement and darshan. However, people often hesitate to leave once they get a good viewing spot. This disrupts crowd circulation and can create dangerous situations,” he explained.
He also issued a strong advisory requesting people not to bring infants, toddlers, elderly individuals, or those with health conditions due to the dense crowd conditions on Bada Danda.
While the chariots reached Gundicha Temple on Friday, the idols of the deities remained on the chariots overnight. The ceremonial “Adapa Bije” ritual, during which the deities will be taken inside the Gundicha Temple (Adapa Mandap), is scheduled for Saturday evening.
The deities will stay at the temple for several days before beginning their return journey, known as the Bahuda Yatra.
A notable feature of this year’s Rath Yatra is the upgraded waterproof braking system installed on all three chariots. Each chariot, weighing over 40 tonnes, is manually pulled by devotees using thick ropes, making control and safety a critical concern.
In earlier years, the absence of an effective braking mechanism meant that chariots could not be stopped immediately once they gained momentum, often continuing to roll several feet and posing safety risks.
The improved braking system includes waterproof chemical coatings, enhanced rubber linings, self-locking screws, and an upgraded belt mechanism. These innovations ensure better grip, durability, and control even during heavy rainfall.
The braking system was originally developed by retired engineer Ashwini Kumar Mishra, who designed a simple yet effective solution using sal wood blocks, specially treated rubber straps, and a chain-and-pulley mechanism.
The system acts as both a brake and shock absorber, allowing the massive wooden wheels to stop safely without damage. Over the past 16 years, this mechanism has been installed annually on all three chariots, significantly improving safety standards during the festival.
Remarkably, Mishra and his team have continued to offer their services voluntarily, considering their contribution a form of devotion to Mahaprabhu Jagannath and a service to millions of devotees.
This year’s Rath Yatra witnessed an estimated turnout of 8 to 9 lakh devotees over two days, despite persistent rainfall. Authorities noted that the number of visitors was expected to rise further during the evening hours.
The Rath Yatra of Puri remains one of the largest and most revered religious gatherings in the world, attracting devotees from across India and abroad. The sight of the three grand chariots rolling through the Grand Road symbolizes devotion, unity, and the enduring cultural heritage of Odisha.
As chants of “Jai Jagannath” echoed across Puri, the successful completion of the chariot journey to Gundicha Temple reaffirmed the deep spiritual connection between the deity and his devotees.
With the Adapa Bije ritual scheduled next and the Bahuda Yatra to follow, the festival continues to draw global attention as a remarkable blend of tradition, engineering ingenuity, and unwavering faith.
