The world-famous Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra began on 16 July 2026 in Puri, Odisha. During this annual festival, Lord Jagannath, along with his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and younger sister Devi Subhadra, travels from the Shree Jagannath Temple to the Shree Gundicha Temple, covering a distance of about 3 km. The deities remain at the Gundicha Temple for nine days before returning to the main temple during the Bahuda Yatra (Return Car Festival). Large numbers of devotees are expected, and extensive multi-layered security arrangements have been made for the event.
Historical Background
- The Rath Yatra is associated with the Jagannath Temple in Puri, built in the 12th century by the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
- The festival is mentioned in the Skanda Purana, Brahma Purana, and Padma Purana.
- According to legends, it symbolizes Lord Krishna’s visit to his mother’s birthplace, while another tradition credits King Indradyumna with initiating the festival.
- It is regarded as one of the world’s oldest continuously celebrated religious festivals, attracting millions of devotees every year.
