The sacred seaside town of Puri is brimming with devotion and anticipation as the grand Rath Yatra 2025 begins today. In a spectacular tradition that dates back centuries, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra embarked on their annual journey from Srimandir to Gundicha Temple in majestic wooden chariots. From the rhythmic beats of ghanta-nadis to the chants of ‘Jay Jagannath’, the air in Puri is charged with spiritual fervour and festive energy.
Chariots come to a standstill, pulling to continue tomorrow
The chariots of The Holy Trinity — Nandighosa, Taladhwaja, and Debadalana — came to a standstill today, with the pulling set to resume tomorrow.
Chariot pulling continues
Nandighosa, the chariot of Lord Jagannath, has started rolling on Bada Danda amidst chant of hymns, blowing of conchs and beating of gongs and cymbals. The chariot pulling commenced at 7:54pm but was halted shortly after being pulled a short distance.
With Taladhwaja leading the way, devotees pull Darpadalana — the sacred chariot of Goddess Subhadra at 6:30 PM.
Chariot pulling begins with Taladhwaja
The grand chariot of Lord Balabhadra, Taladhwaja, is the first to roll forward as devotees pulled with chants of ‘Hari Bol’ filling the air.
Odisha Governor Dr Haribabu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan join thousands at 4:08 PM in tugging the sacred ropes.
Final countdown begins
Charamala Phita ritual begins at 3:40 PM.
As the wooden ramps are removed, Bhoi servitors harness the horses and charioteers, and thick ropes are tied, signalling the chariots are ready to roll.
Chhera Panhara complete
With the sacred Chhera Pahanra ritual complete, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb descends from the chariots, his royal duty fulfilled, and proceeds towards the royal palace at 3:35 PM.
Chhera Panhara begins
Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, the first servitor of the Lord, begins to sweep the chariots at 2:30 PM with a golden broom — a royal act of humility in divine service.
Madanamohana Bije & Chita Lagi ritual
After Madanamohana — moving representative of Lord Jagannath — and Ram-Krushna are brought to the chariots by servitors, the Chita Lagi ritual is performed, where the deities’ foreheads are adorned with golden ornaments, symbolising divine grace and readiness for the journey.
Shankaracharya visits chariots
The Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, along with his selected disciples, visits three chariots after the deities are ascended on them. The 81-year-old seer comes near the chariots in a wheelchair. The Shankaracharya’s visit is also part of the Rath Yatra rituals.
Pahandi concludes
The divine ascent: By 12:30 PM, the deities are seated atop their majestic chariots, marking the end of Pahandi Bije.
Pahandi Bije of Lord Jagannath
With gongs beating and cymbals clanging, Lord Jagannath steps out in Pahandi Bije — the Grand Road echoes with chants of ‘Jay Jagannath’.
Pahandi in progress
Goddess Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra, is being brought to her ‘Darpadalan’ chariot at 11:50 AM in a special procession called ‘Sunya Pahandi’ (the Goddess looking at the sky while being carried to the chariot) by servitors.
Pahandi continues
Lord Balabhadra heads to his chariot Taladhwaja, at 11:30 AM.
Pahandi begins
Pahandi rituals of the three deities and Lord Sudarshan began at 9:30 AM after Mangalarpana. The Holy Trinity is being taken to their chariots in Dhadi Pahandi.
Complete schedule of rituals for Ratha Yatra 2025
The following is the detailed schedule of rituals that will be observed today on the auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra in Puri.
Mangala Alati – 6:00 AM
Mailam – 6:10 AM
Tadapalagi – 6:30 AM
Rosha Homa – 6:30 AM
Abakasha – 7:00 AM
Surya Puja – 7:10 AM
Dwarapala Puja – 7:30 AM
Besha Sesha – By 7:30 AM
Gopala Ballava and Sakala Dhupa (Khechudi Bhoga) – 8:00 to 9:00 AM
Rath Pratishtha – 9:00 AM
Mangalarpana – 9:15 AM
Pahandi – Begins at 9:30 AM and is expected to conclude by 12:30 PM
Sri Sri Madan Mohan, Sri Sri Ram, and Sri Sri Krishna Bije – Between 12:30 to 1:00 PM
Chita Lagi – 1:30 to 2:00 PM
Besha Sesha – 1:30 to 2:30 PM
Chhera Panhara by the Gajapati King – 2:30 to 3:30 PM
Charamala Phita, Ghoda and Sarathi Lagiba (Dismantling of ladder, fixing of horses and charioteer) – 4:00 PM
Rathtana (Chariot Pulling) – Scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM
Once the chariots begin rolling, the remaining rituals will be performed on the respective chariots.
Devotees throng Grand Road, Puri
Lakhs of devotees have thronged Puri for Lord Jagannath’s annual Ratha Yatra Friday, for which the Odisha government has made elaborate arrangements, officials said.
About one lakh people have reached Puri by Thursday evening, and the number has increased manifold this morning, police sources said.
Puri under tight vigil
The town is heavily fortified with the deployment of approximately 10,000 security personnel, including eight companies of Central Armed Police Forces.
Odisha DGP YB Khurania said that for the first time, an Integrated Command and Control Centre has been opened in Puri to monitor the entire festival from close quarters.
Over 275 AI-enabled CCTV cameras have been installed across Puri and on the roads to Konark, 35 km away and famous for the 13th-century Sun Temple, for surveillance.
Besides, the DGP said that the National Security Guard (NSG) snipers will take positions on rooftops along Grand Road in front of the temple.
