Jagannath Rath Yatra

July 17, 2026 11:15 AM

‘Lord Jagannath gives darshan to everyone’: Foreign devotees share spiritual experience at Puri Rath Yatra

As the Jagannath Rath Yatra entered its second day on Thursday, devotees from across the world shared their spiritual experiences of witnessing Lord Jagannath in Puri, describing the annual festival as a unique occasion when people of all nationalities can receive the deity's blessings. A devotee from England said the Rath Yatra offered an experience unlike anything he had witnessed before and highlighted that the festival provides to all the devotees an opportunity to have Lord Jagannath's...

July 16, 2026 3:45 PM

PM Modi shares President Murmu’s article recounting her faith in Lord Jagannath

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday shared an article written by President Droupadi Murmu in which she reflects on her lifelong devotion to Lord Jagannath, recounting how faith in the deity has guided her through personal challenges and public life. Sharing the President's article on X, the Prime Minister said, "In a deeply personal reflection, Honourable President Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji traces her lifelong devotion to Mahaprabhu Jagannath, from childhood memories to the spiritual expe...

July 16, 2026 4:08 PM

When the Lord Comes to the People: The Story of Jagannath Rath Yatra

Every year, the temple town of Puri in Odisha becomes the centre of one of the world's oldest and largest religious gatherings as millions of devotees assemble for the Jagannath Rath Yatra, or the Festival of Chariots. During this annual celebration, Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and the celestial wheel Sudarshana leave the sanctum of the Jagannath Temple and travel in grand wooden chariots to the Gundicha Temple, nearly two miles away. After a seven-day stay, the deities re...

July 16, 2026 10:05 AM

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, Rajnath Singh extend greetings on Jagannath Rath Yatra

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday extended greetings to the nation on the sacred occasion of the Jagannath Rath Yatra. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla described the Jagannath Rath Yatra as a living symbol of India's Sanatan cultural traditions and a unique confluence of faith, spirituality and public welfare. In a post on X, he said, "On the sacred occasion of the Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra Mahotsav, heartfelt best wishes to all countrymen. The Rath Ya...

July 16, 2026 9:49 AM

Jagannath Rath Yatra: President Murmu extends greetings; PM Modi says Yatra reflects humility, unity

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday extended greetings to devotees in India and across the world on the auspicious occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra, describing the festival as a unique celebration of the bond between the devotees and the divine. In a post on X, the President highlighted the spiritual, cultural and unifying significance of the annual festival and prayed for the continued happiness, prosperity and well-being of the nation. “On the auspicious occasion of Mahaprabhu’s...

July 14, 2026 1:54 PM

“Every life is important”: Volunteers ready for emergency response ahead of Jagannath Rath Yatra

Ahead of the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra scheduled to begin on July 16, a multi-agency mock drill was conducted in Puri on Tuesday to strengthen emergency response, crowd management and disaster preparedness measures for the grand festival, which is expected to draw lakhs of devotees. The exercise involved personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Fire Service, Scouts and Guides, and other agencies to test coordination and preparedness for handling emergencies during th...

June 29, 2025 5:54 PM

Over 1,000 Devotees Join 15th Rath Yatra Celebration by Odisha Samaj UAE in Dubai

Marking a significant cultural milestone, Odisha Samaj UAE hosted its 15th annual Rath Yatra, drawing more than 1,000 devotees from across all seven emirates. The event has become one of the most prominent celebrations for the Odia diaspora in the region, bringing together families and faith communities in a shared expression of devotion. Hosted at Star International School in Dubai, the celebration honoured Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra through a sequence of traditional ri...

June 29, 2025 12:06 PM

Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi extends best wishes to devotees going on religious yatras, praises spirit of service

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended heartfelt wishes to devotees embarking on various religious yatras across the country through his monthly radio show 'Mann Ki Baat'. He also lauded those who, with a selfless spirit of service, contribute to the smooth and safe conduct of these spiritual journeys. "When one embarks on a pilgrimage, the first feeling that arises is 'Let's go, we have been called!' This emotion is the soul of our pilgrimage. These pilgrimages are a means of discipl...

June 27, 2025 12:05 PM

148th Jagannath Rath yatra rolls through Ahmedabad

The 148th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced in Ahmedabad on Friday, seamlessly blending centuries-old tradition with state-of-the-art security arrangements. Held annually on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya (Ashadhi Bij), the Rath Yatra is India’s second-largest chariot festival after Puri, attracting lakhs of devotees from across Gujarat and beyond. The day began with the sacred Mangla Aarti, performed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at around 4:00 a.m., continuing his longstanding personal tra...

July 7, 2024 1:25 PM

PM Modi extends greetings on commencement of sacred Mahaprabhu Jagannath Rath Yatra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended wishes to the people on the commencement of the sacred Rath Yatra in Odisha and prayed that the blessings of Lord Jagannath continue to be bestowed upon them. "Greetings on the start of the sacred Rath Yatra. We bow to Mahaprabhu Jagannath and pray that his blessings constantly remain upon us," posted Prime Minister Modi on X, on Sunday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also performed the 'Mangla Aarti' with his wife Sonal at a temple in Ahmedabad earlier tod...