All preparations have been completed for the world-renowned Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra, which begins on Thursday in the coastal city of Puri, Odisha. The grand chariots of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, and sister Goddess Subhadra are fully prepared to proceed along the Grand Road under extensive security arrangements.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 is commencing today in the sacred city of Puri. Recognised as one of India's largest and most historic religious events, the annual festival attracts millions of devotees not only from across the country but also from various parts of the world. During the procession, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra will travel from the Shree Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple on their traditional chariots, where devotees will have an opportunity for darshan.
The Rath Yatra is regarded not only as a religious festival but also as a global symbol of India's culture, faith, and tradition. In view of the expected large gathering of devotees this year, the administration has implemented extensive security and management arrangements.
According to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), the three traditional chariots prepared for Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra have been fully decorated and are ready for the procession. Lord Balabhadra's chariot, Taladhwaja, Goddess Subhadra's chariot, Darpadalana, and Lord Jagannath's chariot, Nandighosha, have been positioned on the Grand Road in front of the Singhadwara.
Following the traditional religious rituals and the receipt of the Agyanmala from the deities, the chariots were brought out of the temple complex. Devotees can now view the chariots and participate in the long-standing tradition of pulling them during the procession.
The Puri Rath Yatra is counted among the world's largest public religious gatherings. This year, millions of devotees are expected to arrive in Puri. In addition to pilgrims from different Indian states, devotees from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Nepal, Mauritius, and other countries have also arrived to participate in the event.
During the Rath Yatra, devotees pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra using ropes. According to religious belief, participation in this service is associated with the attainment of special spiritual merit.
To manage the large crowds, the Odisha government and security agencies have implemented a multi-layered security arrangement. According to officials, approximately 1,500 personnel from 15 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed. In addition, around 13,000 Odisha Police personnel will oversee security throughout the event.
Personnel from the National Security Guard (NSG), Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Border Security Force (BSF) have also been deployed as part of the security arrangements. Separate teams have been assigned for crowd management, traffic regulation, and emergency services to facilitate the movement and safety of devotees.
Odisha Police said drone and anti-drone systems will be used to monitor the entire event this year as part of enhanced security measures. CCTV cameras have also been installed at sensitive locations, and the proceedings will be continuously monitored from a central control room.
Keeping coastal security in view, joint patrols have been initiated by the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, and the Odisha Marine Police. Around 500 lifeguards have been deployed along the seashore to provide immediate assistance in the event of any emergency.
