New Delhi: The Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of India’s most famous and eagerly awaited festivals, is set to take place tomorrow, June 27. Devotees from around the world come to participate in this festival. The Rath Yatra dates back centuries and is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. The Ratha Yatra takes place in Puri, Odisha and is associated with the God Jagannath, a form of Vishnu or Krishna.
During this festival, thousands of devotees pull three large wooden chariots, each carrying one of the three deities: Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and his sister Subhadra. The Jagannath Rath Yatra will begin on June 27 and conclude on July 8, when the deities return to their abode. In this article, let us examine the route of the Jagannath Rath Yatra, this year’s traffic advisory, and security measures.
What is the route of Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra?
The Jagannath Yatra begins at the Jagannath Temple, one of the four main Char Dham sites.
Bada Danda (Grand Road)
The deities are carried along Puri’s main street, Bada Danda, which is about 3 km from Sri Mandira. This road connects the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
Mausima Temple
The chariots stop at the Mausima Temple, dedicated to Lord Jagannath’s aunt. Here, the deities receive a special offering called Poda Pitha, a sweet dish made from rice, jaggery, and coconut.
Balagandi
This spot along the route is important as many devotees gather to see the deities.
Gundicha Temple (Destination)
The procession ends at the Gundicha Temple, where the deities stay for nine days. This temple is considered Lord Jagannath’s birthplace and is of great importance during the Rath Yatra.
Bahuda Yatra
After nine days at the Gundicha Temple, the deities return to the Jagannath Temple in a similar procession known as the Bahuda Yatra.
2025 Traffic Advisory
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The Puri Police has issued a traffic advisory for this year’s Rath Yatra. This is to help the three chariots move smoothly, keep devotees safe and ensure security during the nine-day festival of the sibling deities.
Routes and Parking Arrangements
- All tourist buses departing from Bhubaneswar can travel to Malatipatapur Parking and return on the same route.
- All tourist buses from Brahmagiri can go to Flourish India Parking and will return on the same route.
- All tourist buses from Konark can go to Swami Narayan Temple Parking and will return on the same route.
- Regular buses from Bhubaneswar will depart for Talabania Bus Stand via Malatipatapur ROB and return via Balighat, Samangara village, and Batagaon.
- Regular buses from Konark will go to Talabania Bus Stand via Balighai and Baidas Nagar and will return on the same route.
- Regular buses from Brahmagiri will depart for Talabania Bus Stand, Mangalaghat, Batagaon, Malatipatapur ROB, and Baidas Nagar and return via Balighat, Samangara village, and Batagaon.
Four-Wheeler LMV Parking and Route Guidelines
- All LMVs from Bhubaneswar can reach the parking area at the Talabania side via the Malatipatapur ROB, Baidas Nagar, and Grid Station.
- They should park in order at OLA Guest House, Helipad, ITI College Parking, Indoor Stadium, Horticulture Field Parking, and Hygienic Fish Market.
- Once these parking areas are full, LMVs will be directed to Sterling side parking via Malatipatapur, Batagaon, Mangalaghat, and Sterling.
- LMVs from the Konark side can also reach parking at Talabania via Balighai, Baidas Nagar, and Grid Station.
- They will park in sequence at OLA Guest House, Helipad, ITI College Parking, Indoor Stadium, Horticulture Field Parking, and Hygienic Fish Market.
- LMVs from Brahmagiri will go to Sterling side parking via Mangalaghat and Sterling Chhaka.
- They should park in order at the Sterling Chhaka roadside, Sterling Chhaka’s right side, Sterling Chhaka’s left side parking areas, and Saha College Parking.
Two-Wheeler Parking and Route Information
- Two-wheelers from the Bhubaneswar and Brahmagiri sides can go to Old Jagannath Ballav Parking on a first-come, first-served basis.
- After filling up Old Jagannath Ballav Parking, two-wheelers will be directed to Matitota Helipad Ground and Matitota Playground Parking via Malatipatapur, Batagaon, and Mangalaghat.
Route for Vehicles Parked at Old JBPC
Vehicles parked at Old JBPC will return via Jatiababaji Chhaka, Kumbharapada PS, Atharanala, and Batagaon.
Route for Vehicles Parked at Matitota Side
Vehicles parked at the Matitota side will return via Mangalaghat.
Two-Wheelers from Konark Side
Two-wheelers from the Konark side can go to Blue Flag Beach and Hotel Neelachal Ashok Parking via Baidas Nagar, Grid Station, Helipad, Penthakata Chhaka, CT Road, and Subhash Bose Chhaka. They will return on the same route.
No Vehicle Zone
- Entire Grand Road
- From Lighthouse to Digabareni Chhaka
- From Subhash Bose Chhaka to Hospital Crossing
- From Kumbharapada PS to Hospital Crossing
- Brushav Chhaka to Temple
- Solakhia Baragachha to Temple
- Mochisahi Chhaka to Temple
Shuttle Service (Three-Wheelers)
- Three-wheelers from Talabania will go to Ghoda Bazar via Water Works Road, Odisha Bakery, and Ram Mandir. After dropping off passengers, they will return via Ram Mandir, Shreekhestra Colony, and Mangala Mandir to Talabania.
- Three-wheelers from the Malatipatpur side will reach Atharanala via Batagaon Chhaka. After dropping off passengers, they will return the same way.
- Three-wheelers from Brahmagiri will go to Sterling via Mangalaghat. After dropping off passengers, they will return the same way.
Security Measures
This year’s Rath Yatra will take place after the Pahalgam terror attack, so we have increased security for everyone involved.
- Around 10,000 security personnel are deployed for the Rath Yatra. This includes local police from Odisha and eight companies from the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF). The personnel practised together to prepare for the large number of devotees.
- For the first time, an Integrated Command and Control Room has been established in Puri. Additionally, around 275 CCTV cameras equipped with Artificial Intelligence are installed along the route from Uttara Chhak to Puri town and between Puri and Konark. These cameras will provide live footage for continuous monitoring.
- The AI system will help track traffic and crowd levels, enabling security personnel to make informed decisions quickly in emergencies.
- Sub-control rooms have been established at key locations. Additionally, National Security Guard (NSG) snipers will be stationed on building rooftops due to the assessed threat. Additionally, anti-drone technology and police-operated drones will be utilised for aerial monitoring.
- Anti-sabotage teams, bomb squads, and canine units are prepared for any situation.
- To secure the seafront, coordination has been established with Odisha’s Marine Police, the Coast Guard and the Indian Navy.
- Additionally, a real-time chatbot has been launched to assist visitors with information on parking availability, routes, and directions to available parking spaces.
- Special security measures are in place for Sri Gundicha Temple and the three chariots.