Puri, July 17 (UDN): The spiritual fervour of Puri Rath Yatra 2026 continued to captivate lakhs of devotees as the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra began their sacred journey along the Grand Road (Bada Danda). Owing to delays in the day’s schedule and the sheer scale of the procession, the three chariots halted at different locations before completing their journey to the Gundicha Temple. Temple authorities have announced that the remaining chariot pulling will resume on Friday, July 17, at 9:30 AM, following the completion of the prescribed morning rituals.
The day’s proceedings commenced with the traditional Chhera Panhara ceremony, during which Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the foremost servitor of Lord Jagannath, symbolically swept the platforms of the three chariots with a golden broom. The centuries-old ritual, representing humility and equality before the Divine, marked the formal beginning of the chariot procession.
Soon after, thousands of devotees grasped the massive ropes of the chariots amid the resounding chants of “Jai Jagannath”, the rhythmic beats of traditional instruments, and devotional songs that echoed across the holy city.
By the end of the day, Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot had reached Market Square, Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana halted near Marichikot Square, while Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha advanced only a short distance from the Singha Dwara (Lion’s Gate) before the procession was suspended for the day.
The temporary halt did little to dampen the enthusiasm of devotees. Even as intermittent heavy showers lashed Puri, pilgrims from across India and abroad remained steadfast, filling the Grand Road with unwavering devotion. Many continued singing bhajans, dancing, and offering prayers despite the rain, transforming the atmosphere into a remarkable display of faith and celebration.
The festival also witnessed the participation of several dignitaries, including Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, senior ministers, public representatives, and officials, who joined devotees in pulling the sacred chariots and offered prayers for peace and prosperity.
Extensive security, traffic management, medical services, and emergency response arrangements remain in place as authorities prepare for another large gathering on Friday. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has appealed to devotees to follow official advisories and cooperate with security personnel to ensure the smooth and safe continuation of the festival.
The Rath Yatra, one of the world’s largest and most revered religious gatherings, marks the annual journey of the Holy Trinity from the Shree Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. The remaining stretch of the procession is expected to draw another massive congregation of devotees as the sacred chariots continue their historic journey through the heart of Puri.