Puri Gears Up for Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025; Grand Festivities Begin June 27

By A Staff Reporter

Puri, Odisha | The sacred city of Puri is abuzz with spiritual fervour and meticulous preparations as it readies to host the world-famous Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025, which begins on June 27. The annual chariot festival, revered by millions of devotees across the globe, marks one of the grandest religious events in India. The return journey, known as the Bahuda Jatra, will take place on July 5.

The Rath Yatra involves the ceremonial procession of Lord Jagannath, along with his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Goddess Subhadra, from the main Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. The deities are carried in three towering and ornately decorated wooden chariots, each over 40 feet high, and pulled by thousands of devotees in a display of deep faith and devotion.

The deities remain at the Gundicha Temple for a week before being brought back to their sanctum in the Jagannath Temple during the Bahuda Jatra.

Authorities have tightened security and enhanced logistics this year, expecting a larger turnout post-pandemic and in light of increased domestic and international pilgrim interest. The Odisha government, along with the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), is overseeing sanitation, transportation, crowd management, and medical aid.