Thousands of devotees gathered in Puri as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra began their annual nine-day journey to the Gundicha Temple.
July 16, 2026: Millions of devotees across India are celebrating the Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of Hinduism’s most revered festivals. The grand procession began in Puri, Odisha, with the traditional Pahandi ritual, during which Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra were ceremonially brought out of the temple and placed on their elaborately decorated wooden chariots. The deities then commenced their annual nine-day journey to the Gundicha Temple, symbolising a divine visit to their aunt’s home.
Large crowds of devotees gathered along the streets of Puri to witness the sacred procession and participate in the centuries-old tradition of pulling the massive chariots. Devotees believe that pulling the chariot ropes is a sacred act that brings divine blessings, spiritual merit, and good fortune. The festival holds special significance because it allows the deities to come out among the people, offering devotees a rare opportunity for darshan outside the temple.
Despite intermittent monsoon showers, the celebrations continued with great enthusiasm as pilgrims from across India and abroad took part in the festivities. Authorities have made extensive security and crowd-management arrangements, while cultural programmes and traditional rituals have added to the grandeur of the event. Similar Rath Yatra processions are also being organised in Ahmedabad, Delhi, and several other cities, reflecting the festival’s nationwide spiritual and cultural importance.