Puri Rath Yatra 2025: Chariots move to Lion's Gate, 12,000 police deployed
Synopsis
Puri's Rath Yatra is hours away — and the scale of preparation matches the scale of devotion. With three sacred chariots already at the Lion's Gate, 12,000 police on the ground, and the Indian Navy watching the coast, Odisha is leaving nothing to chance for one of the world's largest religious gatherings on 16 July.
Key Takeaways
Puri Rath Yatra 2025 is scheduled for 16 July (Thursday) , with the procession covering approximately 3 km to the Gundicha Temple .
The three chariots — Nandighosh, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalan — were moved to the Lion's Gate on Wednesday as final preparations concluded.
The Pahandi Bije ceremonial procession is set to begin between 9 am and 9:30 am IST on Thursday.
Around 12,000 police personnel and CAPF forces will be deployed, supervised by 19 senior IPS officers .
473 CCTV cameras and 65 LED screens have been installed; the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy are on coastal alert.
The Netrotsav and Nava Yauvana Darshan rituals following the deities' 14-day isolation were completed smoothly on Tuesday .
The holy city of Puri in Odisha is set to host the world-renowned Rath Yatra on 16 July (Thursday), as the divine triad — Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, and sister Devi Subhadra — begin their nine-day annual journey to the Gundicha Temple from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple. Lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad have already converged on the coastal town in anticipation of the grand spectacle.
Chariots Reach the Lion's Gate
On Wednesday, the three sacred chariots — Nandighosh (Lord Jagannath's), Taladhwaja (Lord Balabhadra's), and Darpadalan (Devi Subhadra's) — were ceremonially moved from the traditional construction site known as Ratha Khala to near the Lion's Gate of the Jagannath Temple, marking the final stage of preparations. Devotees gripped with religious fervour will pull the chariots approximately 3 km to the Gundicha Temple on Thursday.
Rituals on Track
Arabinda Kumar Padhi, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), confirmed that all preparations have entered their final stage. He said the Netrotsav and Nava Yauvana Darshan rituals — which offer devotees the first glimpse of the deities after their 14-day ceremonial isolation following their recuperation from fever — were completed smoothly on Tuesday as scheduled. The Pahandi Bije ritual, the ceremonial procession in which the holy triad steps out of the temple, is scheduled to commence between 9 am and 9:30 am IST on Thursday.
Security and Crowd Management
Puri Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida stated that the administration has put in place comprehensive arrangements focused on crowd control, security, essential services, and devotee convenience. Around 12,000 police personnel, along with an adequate contingent of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), will be deployed across the festival route. As many as 19 senior IPS officers have been assigned to supervise overall security. The Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy will also remain on alert to monitor the coastal route for any illegal activity.
Infrastructure and Surveillance
The state government has installed 473 CCTV cameras to monitor devotee movement and 65 large LED screens to broadcast important information in Odia, Hindi, and English. Dynamic traffic arrangements are in place, supported by 595 permanent and 1,050 temporary signages. Additionally, 16 permanent mobile towers and several temporary towers have been erected to strengthen communication, with bulk messaging facilities also activated to keep pilgrims informed.
Significance of the Gundicha Temple
According to holy texts, the Gundicha Temple is revered as the birthplace of the Chaturddha Murti — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Maa Subhadra, and Sudarshan. The nine-day sojourn, drawing millions of devotees each year, is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world and a defining cultural moment for Odisha. With all rituals proceeding on schedule and security infrastructure firmly in place, authorities expect a smooth and incident-free festival on Thursday.
Point of View
000 police, naval coastal patrols, 473 cameras, and 19 IPS supervisors — reflects how India's largest religious gatherings have evolved into complex logistics operations that test state capacity as much as they celebrate faith. What the coverage often misses is the administrative burden on Odisha's district machinery, which must simultaneously manage crowd safety, coastal security, and real-time communication for a global audience. The smooth completion of pre-festival rituals is a positive signal, but the true measure will be Thursday's crowd management on the 3-km chariot route, where past editions have seen stampede risks. Authorities would do well to treat this year's deployment not just as a security exercise but as a template for scalable festival governance.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Puri Rath Yatra 2025?
Puri Rath Yatra 2025 is on 16 July (Thursday). The Pahandi Bije ceremonial procession, in which the deities step out of the Jagannath Temple, is scheduled to begin between 9 am and 9:30 am IST.
What are the three chariots of Rath Yatra called?
The three chariots are Nandighosh (Lord Jagannath's), Taladhwaja (Lord Balabhadra's), and Darpadalan (Devi Subhadra's). They are pulled by lakhs of devotees approximately 3 km from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
What security arrangements have been made for Rath Yatra 2025?
Around 12,000 police personnel and CAPF forces will be deployed, supervised by 19 senior IPS officers. The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy are on coastal alert, and 473 CCTV cameras have been installed across Puri.
What is the significance of the Gundicha Temple in Rath Yatra?
The Gundicha Temple is revered in holy texts as the birthplace of the Chaturddha Murti — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Maa Subhadra, and Sudarshan. The deities reside there for nine days before returning to the Jagannath Temple.
What rituals preceded the 2025 Rath Yatra?
The Netrotsav and Nava Yauvana Darshan rituals, which offer devotees the first glimpse of the deities after their 14-day ceremonial isolation, were completed smoothly on Tuesday as per schedule, according to SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhi.
