Jagannath Rath Yatra – Chariot Procession Continues in Puri After Overnight Pause
Jagannath Rath Yatra – The annual Rath Yatra in Puri continued on Friday as thousands of devotees resumed pulling the sacred chariots after the procession was paused the previous evening due to fading daylight.
The grand chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra moved forward on Friday as the revered Rath Yatra entered its second day in Odisha’s Puri. Large crowds gathered along the Grand Road despite intermittent rain and humid weather, chanting prayers as they joined in pulling the three decorated chariots toward the Gundicha Temple, located around 2.6 kilometres from the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple. Since the journey could not be completed on Thursday, the deities remained on their respective chariots overnight before the procession resumed the following morning.
Delay Extended the Chariot Journey
Officials said the chariots were unable to reach their destination on the first day because the ceremonial Pahandi procession took longer than expected. The delay pushed the schedule into the evening, making it difficult to continue safely after darkness set in. As a result, the remaining journey was postponed until Friday.
According to temple authorities, Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot had travelled nearly 700 metres before stopping at Market Chhak. Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana chariot covered approximately 400 metres and halted at Marichikote Chhak. Meanwhile, Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha chariot advanced only a short distance from the Singhadwar, or Lion’s Gate, before the procession ended for the day.
Temple Administration Explains Ritual Schedule
Shree Jagannath Temple Administration chief administrator Arabinda Padhee stated that the religious rituals themselves were completed as planned. However, the movement of Lord Jagannath’s idol during the Pahandi ceremony was delayed by nearly 40 minutes near the temple entrance, which affected the overall schedule of the procession.
Padhee also confirmed that the three deities would remain on their chariots through Friday night. Their ceremonial entry into the Gundicha Temple, traditionally regarded as their birthplace during the annual festival, is scheduled to take place on Saturday.
Traditional Practices Continue Despite Rain
Addressing the delay, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, who serves as the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, said such situations have occurred on several previous occasions. He explained that it is not unusual for the chariots to complete their journey on the following day when circumstances prevent the procession from finishing as originally planned.
Temple officials also clarified that the decorative Tahika floral crown worn by Lord Jagannath during the Pahandi ritual was removed after becoming soaked and unusually heavy because of continuous rainfall.
Devotees Participate in Large Numbers
The festival drew an enormous gathering of pilgrims from across the country. While the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration estimated attendance at around 10 to 12 lakh devotees, the Chief Minister’s Office placed the turnout between 8 and 9 lakh.
As rain eased during parts of the day, the atmosphere became increasingly vibrant with devotional chants, the sound of cymbals, conch shells and traditional instruments filling the air. Many devotees danced along the Grand Road while participating in the centuries-old celebration. Authorities also made special arrangements to drain accumulated rainwater and ensure the procession could continue with minimal disruption.
Health Incidents Reported During Celebrations
The Chief Minister’s Office reported that two people lost their lives during Thursday’s celebrations following a temporary crowd surge and weather-related discomfort. In addition, seven devotees experienced health issues during the event and were promptly shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
The Rath Yatra, observed annually on the second day of Ashadha Shukla Tithi in the Odia calendar, is the only occasion each year when Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are ceremonially brought out from the Ratna Sinhasana inside the historic temple to undertake their sacred journey to the Gundicha Temple.