Thousands of devotees faced persistent rain to attend the annual Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, on Thursday, with the ceremonial ‘Pahandi’ ritual serving as the festival’s kickoff under heightened security measures. Despite heavy downpours in the pilgrimage town, officials moved forward with detailed arrangements to facilitate the safe movement of chariots and protect attendees.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated that additional rain is anticipated across Odisha due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, which is expected to strengthen and shift northwest towards northern Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal within the next 12 hours.
Amid the sounds of gongs and conch shells, the procession of the deities commenced around 9 am, beginning with the transfer of Chakraraj Sudarshan from the sanctum sanctorum to Devi Subhadra’s ‘Darpadalan’ chariot.
Pandit Suryanaray Rathsharma explained that Shree Sudarshan is Lord Vishnu’s wheel weapon, worshipped in the form of Lord Jagannath in Puri. Following this, Lord Balabhadra was placed on his ‘Taladwaja’ chariot, with Goddess Subhadra following in a unique ‘Sunya Pahandi’ procession. As Lord Jagannath made his appearance from the historic 12th-century temple, crowds along the Grand Road erupted with chants of “Jai Jagannath,” while cultural performances unfolded before the deity.
The ‘Pahandi’ ritual entails transporting the sibling deities from the temple to their respective chariots located outside the Lion’s Gate, prior to their 2.6-km journey to the Shree Gundicha Temple, which is regarded as their birthplace.
Devotees are set to begin the procession of pulling the chariots at 4 pm, following the traditional ‘Chhera Pahanra’ (ceremonial sweeping of the chariots) by Puri’s titular king, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, along with a visit from Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati.
Prior to the festival, Puri recorded 143.8 mm of rain, with the IMD reporting a total of 233 mm over the previous 48 hours. Rainfall is expected to persist until at least 4 pm, with light to moderate showers forecasted for the remainder of the day.
The IMD stated that the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to develop into a more defined system and move northwestward across northern Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal within the next 12 hours.
Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for numerous districts, including Puri, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Angul, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Khurdha, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, and Boudh.
The IMD noted that Banki in Cuttack district experienced the highest rainfall in the state, recording 210 mm in a 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Thursday. Nine additional locations also reported significant rainfall.
IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty advised devotees to remain vigilant during thunderstorms and suggested seeking shelter in sturdy structures during severe weather, avoiding standing under trees or temporary shelters.
In terms of security, authorities implemented a comprehensive strategy around the temple town, deploying nearly 13,000 personnel from the Odisha Police, central forces, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Coast Guard.
According to Odisha DGP Y B Khurania, 19 IPS officers and nearly 13,000 police staff have been assigned to the area, alongside 15 companies of Central Armed Police Forces, including the CRPF, BSF, RAF, and National Security units, at key locations.
Security measures have been enhanced with 473 AI-powered CCTV cameras equipped with drone-jamming technology, monitored from two command-and-control centers. Joint patrols involving the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and Odisha Police Maritime Station, along with rapid response teams, are also deployed.
To ensure safety, more than 500 lifeguards and fire service personnel have been stationed along Puri beach to prevent drownings and assist visitors.
Special provisions are in place to quickly manage rainwater drainage along Grand Road, enabling the chariots to navigate smoothly despite the ongoing rain.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi assessed the preparations earlier in the day, directing the district administration and municipal authorities to remain vigilant and address waterlogging promptly.
The heightened security and crowd control measures come in response to a tragic incident the previous year, where three individuals lost their lives and several others were injured in a stampede near the Gundicha Temple during the Rath Yatra. Officials have implemented a specific strategy this year to prevent similar occurrences.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited Govardhan Math in Puri to seek the blessings of Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati on the occasion of Rath Yatra. “I feel blessed to have received the guidance of Guru ji (Shankaracharya) on the Rath Yatra day,” Pradhan expressed.
He added that the Shankaracharya’s affection and spiritual guidance consistently inspire him.
In a post on X, Pradhan shared, “On the auspicious occasion of the sacred Rath Yatra, I had the good fortune to bow at the lotus feet of His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya Ji of Shri Govardhan Math Puri and receive his blessings. Being present in this great spiritual center of Sanatan tradition and Shri Jagannath culture fills my heart with devotion, peace, and joy.”
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also visited Govardhan Math before the festival to receive the Shankaracharya’s blessings. He remarked on social media, “Today, at Sri Govardhana Matha, I was blessed by His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Sri Nischalananda Saraswati Maharaj.”
The chief minister noted that the Shankaracharya’s guidance inspires renewed energy and determination for ongoing public service in the state. “To safeguard our rich cultural heritage, establish human values, and preserve social harmony, the teachings and philosophy of His Holiness Shankaracharya serve as a vital guiding light,” he stated.
