Pilgrims Flock to Puri for Sacred Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath

As the sun rose over the holy city of Puri, thousands of devotees gathered once again for the second day of the iconic Jagannath Rath Yatra, also revered as the Shree Gundicha Yatra or Chariot Festival. This age-old tradition, central to the Vaishnavite faith, sees Lord Jagannath along with his siblings—Balabhadra and Subhadra—embark on a divine journey to the Gundicha Temple, where they will reside for nine days.

Devotees from Around the World Celebrate with Devotion
The spiritual magnetism of the Rath Yatra continues to draw devotees not only from across India but also from distant countries. A first-time visitor from West Africa expressed her awe and devotion:

“This is my first Rath Yatra in Puri. We could only have darshan of Lord Jagannath yesterday, but today, I hope I will be fortunate enough to pull the sacred chariot. It’s truly a blessing.”

Gaurangi Devika Das, a foreign devotee who has lived in India for two decades, spoke with emotion:

“Yesterday, we saw lakhs of people pouring in. By Jagannath’s grace, I received his darshan. Today, I hope to serve by pulling his chariot. This festival is very special, as Lord Jagannath steps out to bless every soul.”

An Emotion-Filled Journey for Indian Pilgrims
Indian devotees, too, are overwhelmed by the divine atmosphere. Parna, who travelled from Kolkata, said:

“I’ve longed to attend the Rath Yatra. Yesterday, I finally saw the Lord, but today’s experience was beyond words. I prayed peacefully for 15 minutes—it was magical.”

Leaders and Saints Join the Yatra in Reverence
Prominent figures and saints also marked their presence at the grand celebration. Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, while participating in the Yatra, said:

“I feel truly blessed to be a part of Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s Rath Yatra. May he bring peace and joy to every home around the world.”

Spiritual leader Swami Shri Sukh Darshan Das from Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Vadtal (Gujarat), shared:

“Rath Yatra is a divine event where Lord Jagannath comes out to meet his devotees. Seeing him today has been the best moment of my life. He is truly the Lord of the Universe.”

Timings and Key Details of the Festival
According to Shri Jagannath Temple Administration Chief Administrator Arabinda K Padhee, chariot pulling began at 9:30 am on June 28, as per divine arrangement.

The festival commenced on June 27 and will conclude on July 1, when the deities return to the Jagannath Temple, marking the end of their symbolic retreat to the Gundicha Temple.

The Jagannath Rath Yatra continues to be a profound symbol of faith, unity, and cultural grandeur—reminding the world of the deep spiritual heritage that thrives in the heart of India.