The streets of Puri saw a sea of devotees on Friday as the temple city witnessed the grand procession of Lord Jagannath. Thousands of people from across India and the globe participated in the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of the most iconic celebration in India. Pilgrims gathered outside the Shri Jagannath Temple and the nearby lanes to witness the divine chariot procession of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings, Balabhadra and Subhadra.
The much-awaited festival saw devotees across ages and geographical boundaries lining up to catch a glimpse of the deities as they embarked on their journey from the Shri Mandir to the Gundicha Temple, a tradition that dates back centuries. The atmosphere was filled with devotion, music, and chanting of holy names.
Jagannath Rath Yatra videos from Puri, Odisha
NDRF to manage crowd
Given the large turnout, authorities took extensive measures to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the event. A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was deployed to manage the crowd and tackle any emergencies.
“Our personnel are trained to handle all situations, including medical emergencies, structural collapses, and any other challenges that may arise during the event. We have also conducted four mock drills in collaboration with the District Administration to ensure preparedness,” NDRF Deputy Commandant Naveen Rana told news agency ANI.
Videos from the Rath Yatra showed a flood of devotees participating in the grand celebration, with many taking precautions by wearing face masks to protect themselves from potential health risks, maintaining a sense of caution.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra remains a unique blend of tradition, spirituality, and cultural pride.
This year, the celebration is being observed on Friday, June 27 in Puri and several other temples of Lord Jagannath.
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 in Mumbai
In Mumbai, devotees can take part in the Jagannath Rath Yatra festivities at the nearest ISKCON branch, such as in Juhu, Girgaon Chowpathy, Worli, Mira Road and others.
While most of these temples are celebrating the grand festival on Friday evening, the Hare Krishna Centre in Worli and ISKCON Juhu are observing it on June 28 and July 5, respectively.
Notably, the Hari Mandir and Geeta Bhavan in Guru Tegh Bahadur (GTB) Nagar is also organising the Rath Yatra on Friday.
