Puri, Jul 15: The schedule of rituals for the annual Rath Yatra in Puri, to be held tomorrow, has been finalised after approval by the Chhatisha Nijog, the Niti Sub-Committee, and the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

The Rath Yatra, marking the journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings to the Gundicha Temple, will commence on the second day of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashadha. As per the finalised timetable, Mangala Alati will be performed by 6 Am, followed by Mailama and Tadapalagi rituals between 6:10 AM and 6:30 AM. Rosha Homa ritual will be  conducted at 6:30 AM, with Abakash Niti by 7 AM, Surya Puja at 7:10 AM, and Dwarapala Puja at 7:30 AM. Morning Dhupa rituals will be held between 8 AM and 9 AM.

By 9 AM, the Rath Pratishtha ritual will be completed, followed by Mangalarpana at 9:15 AM. The ceremonial Pahandi—the grand procession of the deities from the sanctum to the chariots—will begin at 9:30 AM and conclude by 12:30 PM. Subsequently, Madan Mohan Ram Krishna Bije ritual will be performed between 12:30 PM and 1 PM.

In the afternoon, between 2 PM and 3 PM, Puri King -- Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deba will perform the monarchical ritual and the traditional Chera Pahanra ritual, symbolically sweeping the chariots. From 3 PM to 4 PM, Charamala fitting, horses, and Sarathi arrangements will be completed. The much-awaited chariot pulling will commence at 4 PM.

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The Pahandi will see the ceremonial procession of the four deities: Sudarshan first, followed by Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and finally Lord Jagannath. The deities will be escorted from the Ratnavedi to their respective chariots on the Bada Danda. Sudarshan will be placed on Goddess Subhadra’s Debadalana chariot, Balabhadra on Taladhwaja, Subhadra beside Sudarshan on Debadalana, and finally Lord Jagannath will ascend the Nandighosha chariot amidst chants and drumbeats.

The Rath Yatra, one of the most significant festivals of Odisha, draws lakhs of devotees and tourists from across the world, symbolising inclusivity, devotion, and the cultural grandeur of Jagannath tradition.