Puri, July 16, 2026 — Nearly two lakh devotees have already packed into Odisha’s temple town of Puri as the world-famous Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 got underway on Thursday, with the state’s top leadership — cutting across party lines — sending out messages of peace, unity and prosperity on the sacred occasion.
Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and BJD president and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik each issued greetings to mark the start of the nine-day festival, even as heavy rain lashed the pilgrim town ahead of the chariot procession.
What the Leaders Said
Governor Kambhampati’s message centred on the festival’s message of social harmony. He prayed that the yatra would deepen bonds of faith, equality and brotherhood among people, and wished for happiness and prosperity to prevail in every devotee’s life. He closed his message with the customary “Jai Jagannath.”
CM Majhi, who has been stationed in Puri for the past two days personally overseeing arrangements, framed his greeting around the state’s development. He described Lord Jagannath as the pride of crores of Odias and prayed that the Lord’s blessings would bring continued progress, peace and prosperity to Odisha.
Naveen Patnaik, in a video message, kept his greeting brief and devotional — wishing that Lord Jagannath’s blessings fill everyone’s lives with happiness and peace, again ending with “Jai Jagannath.”
Rath Yatra 2026: Key Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date (2026) | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Snana Yatra (Ceremonial Bath) | June 29 | Deities bathed with over 100 pots of sacred water |
| Anasara (Seclusion) | June 30 – July 15 | Deities rest out of public view for ~15 days |
| Rath Yatra (Main Procession) | July 16 (Thursday) | Chariots move from Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple |
| Stay at Gundicha Temple | July 17 – 23 | Deities reside at their “aunt’s house” |
| Suna Besha (Golden Attire) | July 23 | Deities adorned in gold ornaments on the chariots |
| Bahuda Yatra (Return Journey) | July 24 | Chariots begin the journey back |
| Niladri Bije | July 25 | Deities return to the sanctum, festival concludes |
The festival falls this year on the Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Ashadha, as per the Panchang.
The Three Chariots
Each deity travels in a distinct, freshly built wooden chariot, constructed by traditional carpenters starting from Akshaya Tritiya every year:
- Nandighosa (Lord Jagannath) — red and yellow canopy, 16 wheels, roughly 45 feet tall
- Taladhwaja (Lord Balabhadra) — red and green canopy
- Darpadalan (Devi Subhadra) — red and black canopy
Rituals to Watch For
- Pahandi Bije — Priests carry the deities from the sanctum to their chariots in a swaying, rhythmic procession.
- Chhera Pahanra — The Gajapati King of Puri, Dibyasingha Deb, ceremonially sweeps the chariot platforms with a golden broom, a powerful symbol that all devotees stand equal before the Lord.
- Chariot Pulling — Thousands of devotees haul the chariots along the roughly 2.6-km Grand Road (Bada Danda) toward the Gundicha Temple. Touching the ropes is believed to bring spiritual merit.
Devotees this year were set to begin pulling the chariots around 4 pm, following the traditional sweeping ritual and a visit from Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, according to temple officials.
Weather and Crowd Arrangements
Heavy monsoon rain hit Puri in the run-up to the procession this year. Authorities put special drainage arrangements in place along the Grand Road to keep the route clear despite the downpour and ensure the chariots could move smoothly. With close to two lakh pilgrims already in the town, police and district officials have also stepped up crowd management, designated viewing zones, and medical assistance points along the route.
Planning a Visit? What You Need to Know
- Temple entry: Only Hindus are permitted inside the Jagannath Temple sanctum, but people of every faith and nationality can watch the procession and pull the chariots along the Grand Road.
- Getting there: The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar (~60 km away); Puri Railway Station connects directly to major Indian cities; NH-16 links Puri by road.
- Getting around: The Grand Road becomes a vehicle-free corridor during the festival — public transport and shuttle services are the most practical way to move around the city.
- Where to stay: Hotels fill up fast; book well ahead, with options ranging from dharmashalas and budget guesthouses to beachfront resorts.
- What to eat: Don’t miss the temple’s Mahaprasad, along with Odia specialties like Dalma, Bara Ghugni, Chhena Poda and Khaja from local stalls.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Rath Yatra 2026? The main chariot procession takes place on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Puri, Odisha.
Is Rath Yatra celebrated only in Puri? No. While Puri hosts the largest and most famous celebration, the festival is also observed in cities like Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Mumbai, as well as by Hindu communities in countries such as the US, UK and Canada.
Can non-Hindus watch the Rath Yatra? Yes. Non-Hindus cannot enter the Jagannath Temple sanctum, but anyone can watch the procession, and even help pull the chariots, along the Grand Road.
When do the deities return to the temple? The return journey, Bahuda Yatra, begins on July 24, 2026, with the deities reaching back to the temple sanctum by Niladri Bije on July 25.
Why do devotees pull the chariot ropes? Tradition holds that touching or pulling the sacred ropes with devotion washes away sins and brings the puller closer to spiritual liberation (moksha).
This article combines official festival scheduling, temple ritual details and statements issued by Odisha’s Governor, Chief Minister and BJD president on the occasion of Rath Yatra 2026.