Rath Yatra 2026 / Chariots Pulling Begins in Puri on Bahuda Yatra; Taladhwaja Rolls First Amid Chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’

Puri, Jul 24: The holy town of Puri in Odisha reverberated with devotion on Friday as the sacred Bahuda Yatra commenced, marking the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Sudarshan Chakra from Gundicha Temple to the Shree Jagannath Temple. The spectacle began with Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot rolling first, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of cymbals, gongs, and chants of “Jai Jagannath” from lakhs of devotees.

The holy triad was ceremonially brought out in the grand Pahandi Bije procession, enthralling devotees with traditional music and dance. Once seated on their respective chariots, the rituals continued with the ceremonial sweeping of the chariots by Gajapati Dibya Singh Deb, the King of Puri, in the revered ‘Chera Pahanra’ tradition.

As the chariots rolled forward, the atmosphere was charged with devotion. Priests recited Vedic hymns, Odissi dancers performed, and devotees sang and danced in ecstasy. Lord Jagannath’s chariot will make its customary halt at the Mausi Maa Temple, where the deity will be offered Poda Pitha, a traditional delicacy of rice, lentils, and jaggery.
Also Read: Pahandi Rituals Complete; Chariot Pulling Scheduled at 4pm for Bahuda Yatra

The Bahuda Yatra, symbolising Odisha’s rich spiritual heritage, marks the deities’ return after their nine‑day sojourn at Gundicha Temple. It continues to embody the message of faith, harmony, and universal brotherhood.

To ensure smooth conduct, Odisha Police deployed 223 units for crowd control, traffic management, coastal security, and night guarding. Inspector General of Police (Central Range) Satyajit Naik said around seven lakh devotees were expected on Friday, while footfall could exceed 10 lakh during the ‘Suna Besha’ ritual on Saturday.

Temple officials and district administration remained vigilant to avoid mishaps, as the coastal city witnessed one of its grandest spiritual gatherings. With Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha drawing massive crowds, Puri once again reaffirmed its place as a centre of devotion and cultural splendour.