The sacred Jagannath Rath Yatra commenced on June 27, 2025 at Puri, Odisha, marking the 9-day annual journey of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.

The festival draws hundreds of thousands of devotees, unfolding rich cultural rituals, tight security, and widespread celebration.

Key Points:

• The festival began after completing rituals like Snana Purnima, Anavasara, and Gundicha Marjana; deities were brought out in chariots on Dwitiya Tithi of Ashadha Shukla.
• The chariots—Nandighosha (Jagannath), Taladhwaja (Balabhadra), and Darpadalana (Subhadra)—are constructed anew annually from neem wood and pulled ~3 km along the Bada Danda.
• A full schedule of rituals includes Mangala Aarti, Mailam, Pahandi, Chhera Pahanra by the Gajapati King, and chariot pulling starting mid-afternoon.
• Approximately 4–5 lakh devotees gather in Puri, with over 10,000 security personnel—including CAPF and drone surveillance—deployed, following intelligence warnings.
• The festival is also celebrated beyond Puri: Kotia village in Koraput joined the Yatra for the first time with tribal participation, while ISKCON Prayagraj plans its segment on June 29.
• West Bengal’s new Digha Jagannath Temple held its inaugural Rath Yatra today; CM Mamata Banerjee led the procession.