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The sacred town of Puri in Odisha has come alive with the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025. The streets are filled with massive crowds, and festivities have begun with the traditional ‘Pahandi’ ritual. The ritual involves a grand procession in which the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are carried from the sanctum of the 12th-century shrine to their respective chariots. And this is not just happening in Puri, devotees from Ahmedabad, Prayagraj, and West Bengal have also lined up while chanting ‘Jai Jagannath’.
Amid the festivities, vibrant performances are also showcased, which involve Odissi and folk dances. With lakhs of devotees in attendance, the civil and police administrations are also on high alert. Over 10,000 personnel have been deployed and are supported by AI-powered surveillance to ensure a safe and smooth festival this year. Here’s a look at the myriads of colours and chants that have adorned the streets of India today. -
Large number of devotees gather as the Sevayats (temple servitors) perform the ‘Pahandi Vijay’ ritual – taking of the deity from the temple to the chariot in Puri. (Photo source: ANI)
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People pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra in Puri. (Photo source: PTI)
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The chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra ahead of the Rath Yatra festival, in Puri, Friday, June 27, 2025. (Photo source: X)
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Servitors fix domes over the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra ahead of the Rath Yatra festival, in Puri. (Photo source: PTI)
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Chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra at the Jagannath Temple, on the eve of the annual ‘Rath Yatra’ festival, in Puri. (Photo source: PTI)
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Devotees holding idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra take part in the Rath Yatra procession in Santipur, Nadia district of West Bengal. (Photo source: PTI)
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Security personnel keep vigil near the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. (Photo source: PTI)
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In this image, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performs the traditional ‘Pahind’ ceremony by sweeping in front of the main chariot with a golden broom before flagging off the 148th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, in Ahmedabad. (Photo source: PTI
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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee performs aarti to Lord Jagannath during the commencement of the first-ever Rath Yatra at Digha Jagannath Temple, in East Medinipur on Friday. (Photo source: ANI)
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The chariot carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra during the ‘Rath Yatra’ festival, in New Delhi. (Photo source: PTI)
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Devotees pull the chariot of Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Balbhadra, at ISKCON Temple, Babulnath in Mumbai on Friday. (Photo source: ANI)
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People take part in a procession during the annual Rath Yatra festival, in Prayagraj, on Friday. (Photo source: PTI)
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Sand artist Manas Kumar Sahoo creates a sand art on the occasion of Rath Yatra, in Puri on Thursday.
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Odissi artists pose for a picture on the occasion of the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, in Puri. (Photo source: ANI)
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