Rath Yatra Resumes in Puri as Lakhs Pull Jagannath's Chariots Towards Gundicha Temple

The annual Rath Yatra resumed on Friday as lakhs of devotees gathered in Puri to pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra towards the Gundicha Temple , after the procession was halted on Thursday before reaching its destination.

The three chariots remained on the Grand Road overnight after the journey was delayed due to an extended 'Pahandi' ritual and the onset of darkness. Devotees resumed the sacred procession on Friday morning amid chants of "Jay Jagannath" , accompanied by conch shells, cymbals, and traditional drums.

According to temple officials, Lord Balabhadra's Taladhwaja , Devi Subhadra's Darpadalana , and Lord Jagannath's Nandighosha had covered only part of the 2.6-kilometre route from the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple on Thursday. The deities will remain on their chariots on Friday night, while the ceremonial entry into the Gundicha Temple is scheduled for Saturday.

Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb , regarded as the foremost servitor of Lord Jagannath, said it is not uncommon for the chariot pulling to continue the following day, noting that similar delays have occurred during previous Rath Yatras. Temple authorities said the delay was caused when Lord Jagannath's idol remained stationary for nearly 40 minutes during the Pahandi procession. Heavy rain also affected the rituals, leading officials to remove the traditional 'Tahika' floral crown after it became waterlogged and to make special arrangements to drain rainwater from the Grand Road.

The Rath Yatra is among Hinduism's most revered festivals and the only occasion each year when the sibling deities leave the sanctum of the Jagannath Temple to travel in grand wooden chariots to the Gundicha Temple , believed to be their birthplace. The festival symbolizes the deities' journey among devotees and reflects the values of devotion, equality, and inclusiveness , with people from all walks of life participating in the centuries-old tradition despite adverse weather conditions.