PTIThe 2025 Rath Yatra in Puri, one of India’s most revered religious events, experienced an unexpected delay during the chariot-pulling rituals, prompting concern and curiosity among devotees and officials.
As per a report of Odisha-based OTV, the main cause of the disruption was a challenge in maneuvering Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot at a key turning point on the Grand Road (Bada Danda). The massive, manually pulled wooden chariot took longer than usual to realign, temporarily bringing the sacred procession to a standstill.
Adding to the delay was the overwhelming crowd. A surge of devotees, far surpassing official estimates, entered cordoned-off areas despite strict security measures. This not only disrupted the flow of the chariots but also hampered coordination between the sevayats (temple servitors) and police personnel.
The Puri district administration and Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) acknowledged the situation, citing the unexpected turnout as a major logistical challenge. According to a report by OTV, officials assured that lessons learned from the delay will be used to improve crowd management during the upcoming Bahuda Yatra and future festivals.
About Rath Yatra:
Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is an annual Hindu celebration in Puri, Odisha, marking Lord Jagannath's journey to Gundicha Temple with his siblings, Balabhadra and Subhadra. Held in the month of Ashadh (June–July), it is the oldest and largest Hindu chariot procession in India, drawing millions of devotees from across the globe.
As per a report of Odisha-based OTV, the main cause of the disruption was a challenge in maneuvering Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot at a key turning point on the Grand Road (Bada Danda). The massive, manually pulled wooden chariot took longer than usual to realign, temporarily bringing the sacred procession to a standstill.
Adding to the delay was the overwhelming crowd. A surge of devotees, far surpassing official estimates, entered cordoned-off areas despite strict security measures. This not only disrupted the flow of the chariots but also hampered coordination between the sevayats (temple servitors) and police personnel.
The Puri district administration and Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) acknowledged the situation, citing the unexpected turnout as a major logistical challenge. According to a report by OTV, officials assured that lessons learned from the delay will be used to improve crowd management during the upcoming Bahuda Yatra and future festivals.
About Rath Yatra:
Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is an annual Hindu celebration in Puri, Odisha, marking Lord Jagannath's journey to Gundicha Temple with his siblings, Balabhadra and Subhadra. Held in the month of Ashadh (June–July), it is the oldest and largest Hindu chariot procession in India, drawing millions of devotees from across the globe.
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