Bhubaneswar: The holy town of Puri has entered a crucial phase of the annual Rath Yatra festivities, as the three chariots of the Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra completed the sacred Dakshina Moda (southward turn) ritual near the Gundicha Temple. The ritual marks the formal beginning of preparations for the Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of the deities to the Jagannath Temple.
The divine stay of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Mahaprabhu Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra at the Janmabedi is nearing its conclusion, with all rituals being conducted strictly in accordance with centuries-old traditions.
ବଡ଼ଠାକୁର ଶ୍ରୀବଳଭଦ୍ର ମହାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ତାଳଧ୍ୱଜ ରଥର ଦକ୍ଷିଣି ମୋଡ଼ ହୋଇଛି।#Rathayatra2026 #JaiJagannatha #RathaJatra2026 #RathaYatra #ShreeJagannathaDhaam #Puri pic.twitter.com/yA8Prz5BKs
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) July 22, 2026
The Dakshina Moda ritual was carried out in phases. On Tuesday, Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana chariot was the first to complete the ceremonial turn. On Wednesday, Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s Nandighosha chariot and Mahaprabhu Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot also completed the ritual, aligning all three chariots towards the Singhadwara (main entrance) of the Srimandir.
It may be noted that heavy rain and waterlogging near the Gundicha Temple in Puri on Tuesday forced the authorities to temporarily suspend the ‘Dakshina Moda’ (southward turning) ritual for two of the three Rath Yatra chariots.
Thousands Witness Sacred Ritual at Saradha Bali
Thousands of devotees gathered at Saradha Bali to witness the auspicious ceremony and seek blessings of the Mahaprabhu Jagannath . The Dakshina Moda holds immense spiritual significance, as it symbolically prepares the deities for their return journey after their annual stay at the Gundicha Temple.
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) July 22, 2026
Following the ritual, the three chariots have been positioned near the Nakachana Dwara, where they will remain stationed until the deities arrive for the commencement of the Bahuda Yatra.
Traditionally, the chariots, which face north during the Rath Yatra, are turned southward during Dakshina Moda after obtaining symbolic permission from Mahaprabhu Jagannath. The process involves inspection and oiling of the chariot wheels before the carefully coordinated turning movement is executed. The main temple lies approximately 2.6 kilometres from the Gundicha Temple.
Elaborate Arrangements for Smooth Festival Conduct
Anticipating a massive influx of pilgrims, the district administration and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration have put in place extensive arrangements to ensure a smooth and safe festival.
Security has been significantly strengthened with heavy deployment of police personnel across key areas. Traffic regulation plans, crowd control mechanisms, and dedicated corridors for devotees have been implemented to facilitate hassle-free darshan and orderly movement.
Authorities have also enhanced logistical support, including emergency response systems, medical aid stations, and public information services, to manage the expected surge in footfall during the Bahuda Yatra.
ଦକ୍ଷିଣି ମୋଡ଼ ପରେ ଶ୍ରୀଗୁଣ୍ଡିଚା ମନ୍ଦିର ନାକଚଣା ଦ୍ୱାର ସମ୍ମୁଖ ଶରଧାବାଲିଠାରେ ଶ୍ରୀବିଗ୍ରହମାନଙ୍କ ତିନି ରଥ।#Rathayatra2026 #JaiJagannatha #RathaJatra2026 #RathaYatra #ShreeJagannathaDhaam #Puri pic.twitter.com/tvxBH4nBMO
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) July 22, 2026
Bahuda Yatra on July 24; Lakhs Expected to Attend
The Bahuda Yatra of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Mahaprabhu Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra is scheduled to be held on July 24, with the chariot procession expected to take place between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
Considered one of the most significant events of the Rath Yatra festival, the return journey is expected to draw lakhs of devotees from across the country and beyond, reaffirming Puri’s status as a major spiritual destination.
CM Majhi Reviews Preparations, Stresses Crowd Management
Meanwhile, in Bhubaneswar, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan to assess the state’s preparedness for the upcoming Bahuda Yatra and associated rituals.
Emphasising the importance of crowd management and seamless information flow, the Chief Minister directed senior officials to adopt a proactive and technology-driven approach. He instructed authorities to use scientific methods to monitor crowd density and integrate real-time inputs from CCTV cameras with the Integrated Command and Control Centre for swift response to any emerging situation.
ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ଲୋକସେବା ଭବନରେ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ବାହୁଡ଼ା ଯାତ୍ରା ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତି ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ସମୀକ୍ଷା କରିଛନ୍ତି। ଏହି ଅବସରରେ ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଭିଡ଼ ପରିଚାଳନା ଓ ସୂଚନା ସଞ୍ଚାର ଉପରେ ଅଧିକ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱ ଦେବାକୁ ଅଧିକାରୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ପରାମର୍ଶ ଦେଇଛନ୍ତି। pic.twitter.com/BpNGhyiSjS
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) July 22, 2026
Majhi also appealed to devotees and pilgrims to strictly adhere to guidelines issued by the administration and police to ensure their safety and the smooth conduct of the festival.
Administration on High Alert; Rituals Progress Smoothly
Officials informed the Chief Minister that all rituals of the ongoing Rath Yatra have been conducted smoothly so far, despite challenging weather conditions such as continuous rainfall, heat, and humidity.
The Chief Minister commended the dedication of servitors, officers, and staff for maintaining uninterrupted services. He was also briefed that the Puri district administration and police are maintaining a high level of alertness, with continuous monitoring and effective coordination.
Senior officials are personally supervising key rituals, including Pahandi, chariot pulling, Dakshina Moda, and Adapa Mandapa Darshan, ensuring strict adherence to both tradition and safety protocols.
Focus on Upcoming Key Rituals
Highlighting the importance of upcoming rituals such as Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha, and Niladri Bije, the Chief Minister stressed the need for meticulous planning and coordination among all departments. He directed officials to ensure that all arrangements are executed flawlessly and without any lapses, given the scale and significance of the festival.
Condolences and Ex-Gratia Announcement
Expressing grief over the death of two devotees due to health-related issues during the festival, the Chief Minister conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. He announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased.
Senior Officials Review Security and Logistics
During the meeting, Shree Jagannath Temple Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee presented a detailed overview of Rath Yatra management. Director General of Police Y. B. Khurania, Director General of Fire Services Sudhanshu Sarangi, and Additional Director General of Police Soumendra Priyadarshi briefed the Chief Minister on security preparedness and emergency response strategies.
The meeting was attended by Law and Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Chief Minister’s Advisor Prakash Mishra, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, and Development Commissioner D. K. Singh, among other senior officials.
With preparations in full swing and key rituals progressing as per tradition, Puri is set to witness yet another grand and spiritually significant Bahuda Yatra.
