Suna Besha 2026 Weather: After One of the Wettest Rath Yatras in 50 Years, Dry Skies Likely to Bless Lord Jagannath's Golden Adornment | Exclusive

Bhubaneswar: The memories of Rath Yatra 2026 are still fresh.

It entered the record books as one of the rainiest Rath Yatras in nearly five decades, with incessant downpours forcing servitors to remove Lord Jagannath's Tahiya – the majestic floral headgear – during Pahandi Bije.

The soaking rain had made the elaborate ornament considerably heavier, prompting temple authorities to take the rare precaution to ensure the safe movement of the deities atop the towering chariots. The scenes became one of the defining images of this year's world-famous nine-day festival.

However, the weather narrative now appears set for a dramatic turnaround. With no significant synoptic weather system over Odisha, the remaining sacred rituals are expected to unfold under far more favourable skies.

For Bahuda Yatra on July 24, weather models indicate a largely manageable day, with only light passing showers or brief drizzle expected during the daytime.

Rainfall accumulation is likely to remain between trace amounts and 1 cm, ruling out any widespread or prolonged rain over Puri's Grand Road.

South-southwesterly winds of 12-18 kmph may bring occasional cloud cover, while humidity will remain high at 80-92%, making conditions muggy for lakhs of devotees.

By evening, rainfall activity is expected to weaken further, with mostly dry conditions or isolated drizzle accompanied by lighter winds of 10-15 kmph.

Even more encouraging is the forecast for Suna Besha on July 25, when Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra will be adorned with their spectacular gold ornaments atop the chariots.

Current numerical weather prediction models project predominantly dry weather with sunny breaks through the day, with virtually no measurable rainfall expected across Puri.

Winds are forecast to remain gentle at 10-15 kmph from the south-southwest, while humidity between 78% and 88% will keep conditions warm but stable.

By evening and night – when thousands continue to throng the Grand Road – the atmosphere is expected to become even calmer, with clear to partly cloudy skies, zero significant rainfall and light breezes of 8-12 kmph, although maritime moisture will keep humidity around 82-90%.

Why the Weather Has Changed

Unlike the weather setup that drenched the Rath Yatra, meteorological analyses show no active low-pressure area, cyclonic circulation or offshore vortex influencing Odisha during Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha.

Both the NCMRWF and regional wind-vector forecasts indicate that the monsoon trough remains displaced away from Odisha, preventing the formation of organised rain bands over the coast. Equally important, there is no strong low-level convergence over coastal Odisha – a critical ingredient for widespread monsoon downpours.

The result is a comparatively stable atmosphere, where only isolated convective clouds may develop briefly on July 24 before dissipating.

Bahuda Yatra: A Humid but Largely Favourable Day

Forecast charts for July 24 suggest that Puri will experience:

Parameter	Forecast
Rainfall	Trace to 1 cm (light passing showers/drizzle)
Wind

12-18 kmph, South-Southwest

Humidity

80-92%

Evening Outlook

Mostly dry, isolated drizzle possible

The absence of any organised rain-bearing system means devotees may encounter occasional drizzle rather than prolonged rainfall.

Suna Besha: Best Weather Window of the Festival

Among all the remaining rituals, Suna Besha appears poised to receive the most favourable weather.

Forecast highlights include:

Parameter	Forecast
Rainfall	Near zero
Wind	10-15 kmph, South-Southwest
Humidity	78-88%
Evening Outlook	Clear to partly cloudy, no significant rainfall

Meteorologists expect any daytime cloud patches to disperse after sunset, allowing the iconic golden attire of the sibling deities to be witnessed under largely uninterrupted skies.

What the Models Reveal

Analysis of rainfall accumulation forecasts and 850 hPa wind fields indicates:

• No heavy rainfall signature over coastal Odisha.
• Weak maritime south-southwesterly winds replacing strong monsoon flow.
• Lack of synoptic-scale forcing needed for sustained rainfall.
• Stable atmospheric conditions dominating Puri through July 25.

While the Bay of Bengal will continue supplying moisture – keeping humidity elevated – the absence of triggering mechanisms means that moisture is unlikely to translate into widespread rain.

Exclusive Outlook

For millions of devotees travelling to Puri, the latest forecast offers welcome relief after the rain-soaked spectacle of the main Rath Yatra.

Although the atmosphere will remain humid, the probability of weather disrupting Bahuda Yatra appears low, while Suna Besha is expected to witness one of the most favourable weather windows of the entire festival, providing ideal conditions for devotees to witness the dazzling golden adornment of the Holy Trinity. The contrast with the dramatic rains that marked the beginning of the festival could scarcely be more striking. 

Also Read: Will Rain Play Spoilsport on Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra? Low Pressure Area Likely to Keep Puri Weather Unstable on July 16| Exclusive Details Inside