RATHA YATRA BEGINS WITH HUGE CROWD

Over 1 million devotees: Even in heavy rainfall, people pack Bada Danda shoulder-to-shoulder. It’s one road, ∼3 km from Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple, so there really is “no scope to disperse the crowd elsewhere.”

Bada Danda: The Grand Road becomes one massive river of people, chariots, chants of “Jai Jagannatha,” and temple volunteers in neon vests trying to keep the flow.

Continues till Niladri Bije: After Ratha Yatra → 9 days at Gundicha → Bahuda Yatra return → then several rituals → Niladri Bije on 27 July is when the deities re-enter the main temple. That’s why crowds stay huge till then.

Why people still come in rain

In Odia belief, getting drenched while pulling the chariot rope is considered extra auspicious. "Jagannatha swayam barsha kare" — the Lord himself brings the rain as blessing. 

What happens till 27 July

Gundicha stay: 9 days at aunt’s house

Bahuda Yatra: Return journey

Suna Besha: Golden attire of the deities

Adhara Pana: Special drink offering

Niladri Bije: Deities go back inside Jagannath Temple. This is the final darshan and it draws another massive crowd.

9 DAYS SCHEDULE

PURI JAGANNATH RATH YATRA 2026 SCHEDULE

29 June 2026 - Debasnana Purnima / Snana Yatra

Grand ceremonial bath of the deities

14 July 2026 - Nabajoubana Darshan / Netrotsav  

First public darshan after 15-day seclusion

16 July 2026 - RATH YATRA

Chariots go from Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple

Chariot pulling starts ~4 pm

17-19 July 2026 - Stay at Gundicha Temple

Deities stay at aunt’s house

20 July 2026 - Hera Panchami

Goddess Lakshmi visits Gundicha Temple

23 July 2026 - Sandhya Darshan

Special evening darshan at Gundicha Temple

24 July 2026 - BAHUDA YATRA

Return journey to Jagannath Temple

25 July 2026 - Suna Besha

Deities adorned with gold ornaments

26 July 2026 - Adhara Pana

Sweet drink offered in earthen pitchers

27 July 2026 - NILADRI BIJE

Deities re-enter Jagannath Temple. Yatra ends. 

Key Notes for This Year

Crowd: Over 1 million devotees expected, and since Bada Danda is the only stretch, crowds will stay till Niladri Bije

Security: 13,000+ personnel deployed, 8 new parking zones, extra CCTV

Rain arrangements: Special drainage on Grand Road due to heavy rainfall warnings . 

After Bahuda, there are 3 major darshans before the deities go back inside: Suna Besha → Adhara Pana → Niladri Bije. That’s why Bada Danda stays packed .