Dipanjan Mondal
24 June, 2025:
Here's some good news if you're considering traveling to Puri for the Rath Yatra this year. The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has announced 365 special trains to and from Puri during the festival period to make your trip more comfortable and easier.
Every year, thousands of devotees flock to the seaside town of Puri for the Rath Yatra, one of India's most beloved and spiritually significant festivals. The city is overcome with a sense of devotion and celebration as the holy chariots are ready to roll and "Jai Jagannath" chants fill the air.
Given the large number of visitors and the significance of this spiritual journey for many, ECoR's action attempts to facilitate travel and guarantee that devotees can get to the temple town without difficulty. Whether you've never done it before or are a regular pilgrim, this gesture brings a sense of relief and reassurance.
The railway authority has stated that these additional trains will operate from a wide range of origins across Odisha, including Rourkela, Biramitrapur, Bangiriposi, Junagarh Road, Badampahar, Boudh, Jagdalpur, Baleswar, Angul, Gunupur, and Rayagada. Services will also be extended to key junctions in neighbouring states, with trains running to and from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Gondia in Chhattisgarh, and Santragachi in West Bengal.
According to a statement from the East Coast Railway (ECoR), this expanded network of special trains is aimed at managing the massive surge in pilgrim traffic and making travel more convenient, even for those coming from districts that don’t usually see frequent train services.
Compared to last year’s 315 special trains, this year’s 365-train rollout marks a significant increase. It reflects not only the growing number of devotees expected but also the deep cultural and spiritual importance the Rath Yatra holds for people across the country.
The Odisha government has also put in place a comprehensive and high-tech security plan to ensure that the grand Rath Yatra in Puri, scheduled for June 27, is conducted safely, peacefully, and without any incidents.
According to reports, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday announced that NSG (National Security Guard) snipers, aerial surveillance by the Indian Air Force, and a five-tier security system will be in place to guard against any possible threats.
After a high-level review meeting, officials shared that more than 10,000 security personnel will be deployed across Puri for this year’s Rath Yatra. This includes central paramilitary forces, over 200 platoons of the state police, and a dedicated anti-terror squad.
With the memory of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam still fresh, and following the recent counter-terror operation ‘Operation Sindoor,’ the state is stepping up efforts to ensure a peaceful, incident-free festival. Extra precautions are being taken so that devotees can celebrate with a sense of safety and devotion.
This year’s Rath Yatra, set to begin on June 27, 2025, promises to be a deeply spiritual and vibrant moment in Odisha’s festive calendar. Rooted in centuries of tradition, the Yatra celebrates Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, as they journey from their sanctum in the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, their ‘aunt’s home,’ in majestic wooden chariots.
It’s a celebration that blends devotion with joy—giant chariots rolling through the streets of Puri, drawn by thousands of hands and hearts, echoing with chants of “Jai Jagannath.” The atmosphere is filled with energy, emotion, and a shared sense of spiritual connection that touches everyone who takes part.
