Bhubaneswar: The annual Rath Yatra rituals in Odisha reached a significant milestone with the ceremonial ‘Adapa Mandap Bije’, as Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Mahaprabhu Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Sudarshan were taken into the sanctum of the Gundicha Temple on Saturday night.
After spending two days atop their respective chariots, the deities were carried in a grand procession from the chariots to the Adapa Mandap also known as the Janma Bedi in the traditional ‘Goti Pahandi’ style. The ritual marked their symbolic stay at their birthplace during the nine-day annual festival.
The deities had commenced their journey on July 16, with lakhs of devotees pulling the majestic chariots along the Grand Road. The chariots reached the Gundicha Temple after a two-day journey, setting the stage for the ceremonial entry.
ଭକ୍ତିମୟ ପରିବେଶ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ପାରମ୍ପରିକ ବାଦ୍ୟର ତାଳେ ତାଳେ ଶ୍ରୀବିଗ୍ରହମାନଙ୍କ ପହଣ୍ଡି ନୀତି ସମାପନ ହୋଇଅଛି।#Rathayatra2026 #JaiJagannatha #RathaJatra2026 #RathaYatra #ShreeJagannathaDhaam #Puri pic.twitter.com/QTkJkjAllV
— Shree Jagannatha Temple Office, Puri (@SJTA_Puri) July 18, 2026
Prior to the procession, several traditional rituals such as Simhasana Majana and Sandhya Dhupa were performed. Charamalas made from coconut tree trunks were placed to facilitate the smooth movement of the deities into the temple. Representing the Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the Mudirasta offered floral tributes and performed rituals like Dora Lagi and Pushpanjali. The deities were adorned with traditional tahias before the commencement of the Pahandi procession.
The sequence of rituals began with the ceremonial transfer Mahaprabhu Sudarshan, Mahaprabhu Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and finally Mahaprabhu Jagannath, who entered the sanctum at around 9:58 PM.
— Shree Jagannatha Temple Office, Puri (@SJTA_Puri) July 18, 2026
A massive gathering of devotees witnessed the sacred ceremony, widely regarded as one of the most significant rituals of the Rath Yatra. Despite intermittent drizzle, the weather remained favourable, and a sea of devotees thronged the Sharadhabali area for darshan. Devotional singing and kirtans by various groups added to the spiritual ambience, while security personnel ensured orderly movement of the crowd.
With the deities now stationed at the Gundicha Temple, all daily rituals traditionally observed at the Jagannath Temple will be conducted here. Devotees will also receive Adapa Abhada, the special offering prepared at Gundicha Temple, akin to the Mahaprasad served at Srimandir. According to Hindu belief, having darshan of the Holy Trinity at the Adapa Mandap absolves devotees of sins accumulated over a hundred lifetimes.
From July 19, Sunday, devotees will be able to have Adapa Darshan.
Key upcoming rituals include Hera Panchami (July 20), Dakshina Moda (July 21), Sandhya Darshan (July 23), Bahuda Yatra (July 24), Suna Besha (July 25), Adhara Pana and Garuda Sayan (July 26), and Niladri Bije (July 27).
The deities will remain at the Gundicha Temple until the Bahuda Yatra, when they will return to the Jagannath Temple, marking the culmination of the grand annual festival.
Technical team inspects Jagannath temple; Annual repairs and AC installation work underway
Meanwhile, a technical team conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Shree Jagannath Temple as part of its annual maintenance and repair exercise, officials said .
The inspection followed a key meeting of the temple’s technical committee held on Saturday under the chairmanship of Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Padhee. Members of the committee, along with experts and scientists, participated in the review meeting held at the temple office.
As per the decisions taken, necessary repair and maintenance work will be carried out in key structures of the temple, including the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha), Jagamohan, Natamandap, and Bhogamandap. Notably, the iron grills installed inside the Bhogamandap will be removed and replaced with corrosion-resistant alternatives.
The inspection team included Technical Committee Chairman and former Director of the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) S.K. Bhattacharyya, officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), representatives from the ASI Science Wing, structural experts, and members of the temple’s technical team.
During the inspection, the team assessed the structural condition of the temple, including the roof and walls, and examined cracks and water seepage. Necessary repairs, including chemical treatment and waterproofing, will be undertaken where required. A complete chemical wash will also be carried out for internal preservation.
The load-bearing capacity of the stone structures was evaluated using specialized equipment, while lightning arresters installed at the temple were also tested for efficiency. The team further reviewed the condition of the Jagamohan and Natamandap, where repair work had been undertaken in previous years, including the stainless steel reinforcements installed by ASI.
Temple Superintending Engineer Naresh Rout stated that the overall condition of the temple was found to be satisfactory. “Only routine maintenance and chemical conservation work will be required. No major structural repairs are necessary at present,” he said.
Meanwhile, work has commenced for the installation of an air-conditioning system in the Natamandap to enhance the comfort of devotees, especially during the summer months. The project is being executed by SR Electronics under the direct supervision of the temple administration.
The system, with a capacity of around 140 HP, is expected to provide cooling for nearly 500 devotees at a time, ensuring a more comfortable and pleasant darshan experience. The administration aims to complete the installation before the deities return to the sanctum during Niladri Bije following the Rath Yatra.
In view of the increasing footfall, the temple administration is also planning to streamline the darshan system. The existing inner wooden viewing arrangement at the Jagamohan is being curtailed, while the duration of public darshan from the outer platform of the Natamandap has been extended.
However, overcrowding near the outer viewing area has led to congestion, as more than 300 devotees are allowed at a time, often resulting in pushing and jostling. To address this, the administration is considering the installation of a wooden ramp system and full air-conditioning of the Natamandap to ensure a more orderly and comfortable darshan system.
Officials said the proposal for the ramp system is currently under technical evaluation by IIT Bhubaneswar. Further steps will be taken once expert recommendations are received.
Odisha police blocks 121 fake hotel websites to prevent cyber fraud during Rath Yatra 2026
In a major cyber safety initiative during the ongoing Rath Yatra 2026, the Odisha Police has blocked 121 fake hotel websites and 33 fraudulent hotel webpages to safeguard lakhs of pilgrims from online scams.
The Cyber Crime Unit of the CID, Crime Branch, Odisha carried out the preventive drive between June 1 and July 18, 2026. During this period, officials closely monitored digital platforms to detect and act against fake hotel booking portals, fraudulent travel websites, and misleading online content targeting devotees visiting Puri.
As part of the crackdown, authorities also identified and removed or blocked 19 misleading online contents related to the Rath Yatra to curb cyber fraud attempts. In coordination with service providers, the Cyber Crime Unit further blocked 893 mobile numbers and 793 IMEI numbers allegedly involved in customer care fraud, e-commerce scams, fake hotel booking rackets, and other cyber crimes targeting pilgrims.
Officials from the Crime Branch stated that these proactive measures have played a significant role in ensuring a safer and smoother Rath Yatra experience by protecting devotees from financial fraud. The police have advised pilgrims to book hotels, guest houses, and travel services only through official websites and verified applications. Devotees have also been urged to avoid clicking on suspicious booking links received via SMS, WhatsApp, or social media, and to verify the authenticity of websites and contact numbers before making any online payments.
