India • Jun 26, 2025

Puri prepares for Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025

Puri is gearing up for the iconic Jagannath Rath Yatra, kicking off this Friday.
The festival draws huge crowds as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra make their traditional journey to Gundicha Temple in vibrant chariots.
With lakhs expected, the city is putting extra focus on smooth movement and safety.

TL;DR

Emergency drills held to ensure safety

To handle the rush, officials have set up 21 parking zones and five crowd-holding areas, plus mobile apps to help visitors get around.
Ahead of the big day, emergency drills were held with multiple agencies to keep things safe.
Rituals like Snana Purnima—where deities are bathed with 108 pitchers of holy water—and building new Neem wood chariots are also part of the preparations.