Puri's Grand Rath Yatra: Devotees and Deities Unite in Chariot Procession

Annual Rath Yatra festival in Puri, Odisha, where devotees gather in large numbers to witness the chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra, a tradition dating back to the 12th century under King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, symbolizing unity and renewal.

The event, occurring on June 27, 2025, involves the deities being pulled in massive wooden chariots from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, a journey rooted in ancient texts like the Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana, reflecting a unique aspect of Hindu spirituality where the deity is treated as a human form experiencing emotions and relationships.

The festival's significance is heightened by extensive security measures, including over 275 AI-enabled CCTV cameras and the presence of the National Security Guard (NSG), ensuring the safety of the large crowd, with historical and cultural importance underscored by its evolution into a major socio-political and cultural spectacle over centuries.