Puri, Odisha: Defying relentless rainfall, lakhs of devotees thronged the holy town of Puri on Friday to witness the world-famous Jagannath Rath Yatra, reaffirming their unwavering faith and devotion to Lord Jagannath.
Resonating with chants of "Jai Jagannath," the sacred procession commenced as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra were ceremonially brought out of the 12th-century Jagannath Temple (Srimandir) and seated on their magnificently decorated chariots.
The deities then embarked on their annual journey to the Srigundicha Temple, located nearly three kilometres away, marking one of Hinduism's most revered religious festivals. The Rath Yatra symbolizes the divine visit of the sibling deities to their aunt's abode, drawing millions of pilgrims and visitors from across India and abroad every year.
Despite intermittent heavy showers throughout the day, devotees remained undeterred, filling the Grand Road (Bada Danda) to catch a glimpse of the deities and participate in the sacred pulling of the three colossal chariots. Many described the opportunity to witness the festival as a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience.
Elaborate security arrangements, crowd management measures, and emergency services were put in place by the Odisha government to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival. Personnel from multiple security agencies, along with medical teams and volunteers, were deployed across the pilgrimage town to assist devotees and maintain order.
The annual Rath Yatra remains one of India's largest and most significant religious gatherings, symbolising devotion, unity, and the enduring cultural heritage of Odisha.
