Bhubaneswar, 16 July (H.S.): In a remarkable display of devotion and spiritual fervour, the world-famous Puri Rath Yatra 2026 was held with grandeur, drawing lakhs of devotees from Odisha, across India, and abroad. Despite relentless heavy rainfall since the evening of July 15, the enthusiasm and faith of the devotees remained unshaken.

Continuous downpours lashed Puri and coastal Odisha before and during the festival, leading to waterlogging in several areas. However, adverse weather conditions failed to deter the massive turnout, as devotees gathered in large numbers along the Bada Danda (Grand Road) for a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. From early morning, the atmosphere reverberated with chants of “Haribol” and “Jai Jagannath,” rising above the sound of the rain.

Devotees also expressed their faith through vibrant cultural performances on the rain-soaked streets. Several groups presented traditional and classical art forms, with Odissi dancers performing gracefully despite waterlogged conditions, offering a heartfelt welcome to the deities.

All rituals at the Shree Jagannath Temple were conducted in accordance with centuries-old traditions. The ceremonies began with the ‘Dhupa’ ritual at the Bhoga Mandap, followed by various rites associated with the preparation of the deities and their chariots. During the significant Pahandi Bije ritual, the deities were ceremoniously brought out of the sanctum in a grand procession accompanied by traditional instruments such as ghanta, kahali, and telingi baja, and were placed on their respective chariots—Nandighosa of Lord Jagannath, Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra, and Darpadalana of Devi Subhadra.

Jagadguru Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati witnessed the divine spectacle and had darshan of the Chaturdhamurti seated on the chariots, further enhancing the spiritual significance of the occasion. The revered Chhera Pahanra ritual was performed by the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Divyasingha Deb, who, dressed in pristine white attire and carried in a silver-plated palanquin, ceremonially swept the chariots with a golden broom as priests chanted Vedic hymns and offered flowers and fragrant water. The ritual symbolizes humility and equality, emphasizing that all are equal before the Lord, and is performed during both the Gundicha Yatra and the Bahuda Yatra.

Following the completion of rituals, the much-awaited pulling of the chariots began amid loud devotional chants. The chariot of Lord Balabhadra, Taladhwaja, was pulled first, followed by Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana, and finally Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosa, as devotees participated with deep reverence and devotion. However, due to time constraints, the chariots could not reach their destination, the Mausima Temple, on Thursday, and the pulling will resume on Friday morning.

Elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival, with around 13,000 personnel deployed, including state police, central forces, the Indian Navy, and the Coast Guard. Authorities placed special emphasis on crowd control, traffic management, and emergency response, while also taking measures to address waterlogging along the route to facilitate the procession.

Despite heavy rainfall and logistical challenges, the Puri Rath Yatra 2026 once again stood as a powerful testament to unwavering faith, unity, and the enduring cultural and spiritual legacy of Lord Jagannath.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda