Lakhs of devotees have converged in Puri, Odisha, for the annual Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of the most significant Hindu festivals. The grand procession involves the pulling of massive chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balabhadra, and sister Goddess Subhadra to the Gundicha Temple, where the deities will stay for a week before returning to their main abode at the Jagannath Temple.
To ensure smooth conduct of the event, nearly 10,000 security personnel, including eight companies of the Central Armed Police Forces, have been deployed in the holy seaside town.
Meanwhile, West Bengal’s Digha is hosting its first-ever Rath Yatra, drawing thousands to the newly inaugurated Jagannath Temple in the coastal town. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also attending the celebrations.
The temple in Digha, inaugurated in April 2025 and named ‘Jagannath Dham’, sparked a political controversy earlier this year, but celebrations this week remain focused on religious devotion and cultural unity.
Stay tuned for live updates and visuals from both Puri and Digha.