Puri Rath Yatra 2025: CM Majhi, Naveen Patnaik extend greetings as festival begins
Synopsis
Puri’s Rath Yatra is more than a festival — it is a logistical and spiritual undertaking on a massive scale. With over 13,000 police personnel, 473 CCTV cameras, Coast Guard and Navy on alert, and both the ruling CM and the Opposition leader setting aside politics to extend joint greetings, the 2025 edition underscores just how central Lord Jagannath’s chariot procession is to Odisha’s identity.
Key Takeaways
Puri Rath Yatra 2025 begins on Thursday, 17 July , with Lord Jagannath , Lord Balabhadra , and Devi Subhadra embarking on their nine-day journey to the Gundicha Temple .
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi urged devotees to participate in a disciplined manner, abiding by all rules.
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik also extended greetings, calling on people to celebrate with devotion.
More than 13,000 police personnel and CAPF forces have been deployed; 19 senior IPS officers are supervising security.
473 CCTV cameras and 65 LED screens have been installed; signage includes 595 permanent and 1,050 temporary boards.
The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy are on alert along the coastal route.
The holy city of Puri in Odisha is set to host the world-famous Rath Yatra from Thursday, 17 July 2025, as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik both extended greetings to devotees ahead of the nine-day annual festival. The divine siblings — Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, and sister Devi Subhadra — will embark on their ceremonial journey from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple aboard their majestic chariots.
Leaders Extend Greetings
In a video message, Chief Minister Majhi called upon devotees to participate in the festival with discipline and devotion. “After a year, the sacred Rath Yatra has returned once again. Lord Jagannath will step out from the Shree Mandir and ascend His majestic chariot to bless the whole humanity. Once again, devotees have the rare and wonderful opportunity to behold Lord Jagannath on His chariot,” he said.
Majhi further urged pilgrims to abide by rules and regulations during their visit to Puri. “Let us participate in the Rath Yatra by abiding by the law and with dedication and enjoy the divine darshan of Lord Jagannath in a disciplined manner,” he added.
Naveen Patnaik, the former Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition, also shared his wishes in a separate video message on Wednesday. “Jay Jagannath. I am extending best wishes on the occasion of sacred Rath Yatra. Let us celebrate this world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath with devotion and surrender. I wish that everyone’s life be filled with happiness, peace and prosperity with the blessings of Lord Jagannath,” Patnaik said.
Massive Security Deployment
The Odisha Police have put in place extensive security and traffic management arrangements to handle the large inflow of pilgrims. More than 13,000 police personnel, along with personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), have been deployed across Puri for the duration of the festival.
As many as 19 senior IPS officers have been assigned supervisory roles over the overall security arrangements. The Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy will also remain on alert to monitor the coastal route for any illegal activity.
Traffic and Infrastructure Arrangements
Dynamic traffic plans have been activated to ensure smooth movement of vehicles in and out of Puri. Authorities have installed 595 permanent and 1,050 temporary signages for public guidance. Additionally, 16 permanent mobile towers and several temporary towers have been erected to strengthen communication networks, while bulk messaging services will be used to relay real-time information to pilgrims.
Surveillance and Public Information
The state government has deployed 473 CCTV cameras to monitor crowd movement and installed 65 large LED screens across the city to disseminate important information to devotees in Odia, Hindi, and English. The multi-lingual outreach reflects the festival’s draw beyond Odisha, with pilgrims arriving from across India and abroad.
Notably, the Rath Yatra is one of the oldest and largest religious processions in the world, drawing millions of devotees annually to Puri. With the nine-day sojourn set to conclude at the Gundicha Temple, authorities are focused on ensuring both the sanctity and the safety of the event.
Point of View
000-plus personnel, Navy and Coast Guard deployment, and blanket CCTV coverage suggest that the state is treating this not just as a religious event but as a high-stakes public order challenge. Whether that level of mobilisation reflects genuine threat assessment or institutional overcaution is a question the administration has not publicly addressed.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Puri Rath Yatra 2025 begin?
The Puri Rath Yatra 2025 begins on Thursday, 17 July 2025. Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra will proceed from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple in a nine-day annual sojourn.
What did Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi say about Rath Yatra?
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended greetings via a video message, calling on devotees to celebrate with discipline and devotion. He urged pilgrims visiting Puri to abide by all rules and regulations during the festival.
What security arrangements have been made for Rath Yatra 2025?
Over 13,000 police personnel and CAPF forces are deployed in Puri, supervised by 19 senior IPS officers. The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy are on alert along the coastal route, and 473 CCTV cameras have been installed across the city.
How is the Odisha government managing crowds and traffic at Rath Yatra?
Dynamic traffic arrangements have been activated, with 595 permanent and 1,050 temporary signages installed. Sixty-five large LED screens will display information in Odia, Hindi, and English, while bulk messaging services will relay real-time updates to devotees.
Who is Naveen Patnaik and what did he say about Rath Yatra?
Naveen Patnaik is the former Chief Minister of Odisha and current Leader of Opposition. In a video message, he extended best wishes for the festival, urging people to celebrate with devotion and invoking blessings of Lord Jagannath for happiness, peace, and prosperity.
