By Dipanjan Mondal
27 June, 2025:
Thousands of devotees have started gathering in the holy town of Puri ahead of the famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, which will begin on Friday. The temple town is filled with chants of “Jai Jagannath” as people from all corners of the country arrive to witness the grand journey of the Lord.
The festival takes place every year on Dwitiya Tithi, the second day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month Ashadha. This time of the month is believed to be holy, as the growing light of the moon is seen as a sign of hope and positivity.
Preparations are in full swing in Puri. Roads have been decorated, security has been tightened, and arrangements have been made for the large number of pilgrims arriving daily. Despite the summer heat, the energy in the town is full of excitement and devotion.
For many, pulling the ropes of the chariot is a dream come true — a chance to serve the Lord and receive his blessings. For others, just being part of the crowd and watching the chariots roll forward is a deeply moving experience.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended his greetings on the occasion of the Jagannath Rath Yatra. Using his official handle on X (formerly Twitter), he conveyed his wishes for the well-being of all, hoping the festival brings joy, prosperity, good health, and fortune to everyone.
"On the sacred occasion of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra, my heartfelt best wishes to all fellow countrymen. May this holy festival of faith and devotion bring happiness, prosperity, good fortune, and excellent health to everyone's life. Jai Jagannath!", PM Modi posted on the social media platform X.
To ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the Rath Yatra, the Odisha government has deployed over 10,000 security personnel and installed 275 AI-powered cameras across Puri, making it one of the most heavily guarded religious events in the state. Puri Police Superintendent Vinit Agrawal said that three unauthorised drones were intercepted on Friday. To manage the massive influx of pilgrims, the Indian Railways operated 365 special trains connecting Puri to states such as West Bengal and Bihar, while the state government arranged 800 buses for devotees
Authorities confirmed that comprehensive security measures have been put in place for the Yatra. Puri DM Siddharth Swain told ANI, “The three chariots have been brought to their designated place for their Gundicha Yatra. Elaborate security arrangements have been made. NSG is also present here.”
"Today, Mahaprabhu's Rath Yatra will take place. Devotees in huge numbers will gather in Puri. Police have made adequate preparations. All measures for public safety, crowd management and public convenience have been taken. Traffic facilitation has been taken care of. Central agencies have also assisted... The Rath Yatra will be conducted smoothly. Our surveillance teams will remain present at the integrated control room. We also have anti-drone teams. They took down three drones today. Except for the friendly drones, action will be taken against any other drone movement," Puri SP Vineet Agarwal added.
Rath Yatra is among the most renowned and grand religious festivals in India. According to the usual schedule, the pulling of the chariots is actually set to begin around 4 PM. The Yatra begins at the Jagannath Temple in Puri and proceeds to the Shree Gundicha Temple, covering a distance of nearly 3 kilometres.
According to tradition, the Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra will lead the procession along the Puri Grand Road. It will be followed by Darpadalana, the chariot of Devi Subhadra. Lord Jagannath’s chariot, Nandighosha, the largest and most elaborate of the three, will follow behind. The chariots are expected to reach the Gundicha Temple before sunset.
The deities will stay at the Gundicha Temple for nine days before returning to their original abode at the Shree Mandir on the same chariots. This return journey, known as the Bahuda Yatra or Return Car Festival, is scheduled for July 5.
The Puri Shree Mandir Administration has estimated that nearly 13 lakh devotees are expected to take part in this year’s Rath Yatra, making it one of the largest gatherings in recent times.
