Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani prepares 'prasad' for pilgrims at Puri Dham.

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani offers prayers at Jagannath Rath Yatra

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, his wife Priti Adani and son Karan Adani attend the Jagannath rath yatra in Puri.

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani has arrived in Puri. He will attend the Jagannath Rath Yatra shortly.

#WATCH | Odisha: Adani Group Chairperson Gautam Adani arrives in Puri. He will participate in Shree Jagannath #RathYatra2025 here
Adani Group has initiated the ‘Prasad Seva’ in Puri Dham and is undertaking a comprehensive 'seva' effort to support both pilgrims and frontline… pic.twitter.com/HsUM0cQXH9

— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2025

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani has arrived at the Bhubaneswar Airport. He will attend the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri shortly.

The Adani Group has initiated the 'Prasad Seva' in Puri Dham and is undertaking a comprehensive 'seva' effort to support both pilgrims and frontline officials during the Rath Yatra from 26 June to 8 July.

#WATCH | Odisha: Adani Group Chairperson Gautam Adani arrives in Bhubaneswar. From here, he will head to Puri for Shree Jagannath #RathYatra.
Adani Group has initiated the ‘Prasad Seva’ in Puri Dham and is undertaking a comprehensive 'seva' effort to support both pilgrims and… pic.twitter.com/wFeCWQKbog

— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2025

Today is the second day of the grand Jagannath Rath Yatra. As part of the tradition, the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings are being pulled towards the Gundicha Temple, where the deities will rest for nine days before returning to the Jagannath Temple. Devotees from across India and around the world are arriving in Puri to take part in the Yatra and seek blessings.

A devotee from West Africa who came to Puri for the first time said, "This is my very first opportunity to witness the Rath Yatra in Puri. Yesterday, we only got the opportunity to have darshan of Lord Jagannath. But today, hopefully Jagannath will be kind, we will be able to pull his chariot as today is the second day." She added that she was grateful for the opportunity to experience the celebration.

Gaurangi Devika Das, a foreign devotee living in India for the past 20 years, expressed her joy, saying, "Yesterday was the first day of the Rath Yatra festival. Lakhs of people are coming. By the mercy of Lord Jagannath, I got to take his darshan. Today, I hope I will have the grace to pull Jagannath to Gundicha. This is a very special festival because Lord Jagannath comes out of the temple to see all his devotees and give his mercy."

The Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath began in Odisha's Puri today. Lakhs of devotees from across the world have gathered to witness the grand procession of the three divine siblings, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.

This revered annual event is held during Ashadh Shukla Paksha in the Hindu calendar month Asadh. 

The historic Jagannath Temple in Puri, one of the Char Dhams of Hinduism, holds within its sacred precincts several mystical traditions and ancient secrets, one of the most intriguing being that of the third step at the temple's entrance, known as 'Yamashila' or 'Yama's stone'.

The chariot pulling of the Trinity deities resumed today at 9.30 am. Lord Jagannath's chariot, Nandighosa, was halted shortly around 7.45 pm after the rolling began.

Lakhs of devotees had thronged to witness the world-famous Rath Yatra this year.

When Lord Balabhadra's chariot came to a halt at Balagandi Chhak, Devi Subhadra's Darpadalan was stopped at Marichkote in Puri town. Meanwhile, Lord Jagannath's Nandighosh chariot was only symbolically pulled as part of the ritual and remains parked near the main temple.

Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025, also known as the Chariot Festival or Shree Gundicha Yatra, is one of the most significant Hindu festivals celebrated annually in Odisha. Observed on Dwitiya Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the lunar month, the event draws lakhs of devotees to the streets of Puri.

Among the many fascinating stories and traditions linked to this grand festival is that of Salabega, a Muslim devotee of Lord Jagannath. According to the Odisha government's official records, Salabega was one of the most revered devotional poets of the region. Despite being born into a Muslim family, he dedicated his entire life to worshipping Lord Jagannath.

Billionaire Gautam Adani-led Adani Group on Friday started 'Prasad Seva' for the Lord Jagannath devotees in Puri, as they congregate in the holy town in large numbers for the nine-day chariot festival.

The Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of the most sacred festivals of the country, draws lakhs of devotees from across the country, who converge at the temple town to take part in it every year.

Gautam Adani took to X on Friday to announce that 'Prasad Seva' has been initiated for providing clean and nutritious food to devotees in Puri.

"By the infinite grace of Lord Shri Jagannath Ji, we have been blessed with the opportunity to serve in the sacred Rath Yatra of Puri Dham. With the resolve that every devotee receives clean, nutritious, and lovingly served food, we have initiated the 'Prasad Seva' in Puri Dham," the Adani Group chairman wrote in a post on X.

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani will attend Puri's Jagannath Rath Yatra today.

Opposition BJD on Friday condemned the alleged police excess against journalists, who were officially invited to Puri by the Odisha government to cover Rath Yatra.

BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty in a statement said that the government had arranged a bus to take accredited working journalists from Bhubaneswar to Puri. "Upon reaching Puri, despite showing their cordon passes and identity cards, the police did not allow journalists to carry out their duties. On the contrary, the police misbehaved and physically assaulted many senior journalists," Mohanty alleged.

Several journalists including a woman suffered injury and she has to be hospitalised, the BJD leader claimed.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel monitored the real-time progress and organisation of the 148th Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad.

Commencing the Rath Yatra from the Jagannath Temple in the morning with the Pahind ceremony, he closely monitored the Rath Yatra route in the afternoon via a video wall, after reaching the Chief Minister's residence.

According to an official release, he gathered insights about the location of the chariot, the surveillance of the Rath Yatra, and the security arrangements being implemented by the police using AI and drone technology.

Billionaire Gautam Adani-led Adani Group on Friday started 'Prasad Seva' for the Lord Jagannath devotees in Puri, as they congregate in the holy town in large numbers for the nine-day chariot festival.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the first Rath Yatra from the newly constructed Jagannath temple in the coastal town of Digha.

Amid the chants of 'Joy Jagannath' by thousands of pilgrims, including foreigners, the CM, along with her cabinet colleagues, pulled the ropes of the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra this afternoon.

She appealed through a public address system that the devotees could touch the ropes of all three chariots from inside the barricades along the 750-metre procession from the main temple to the sibling deities' aunt's place.

#WATCH | East Medinipur, West Bengal | The first-ever Rath Yatra at the Lord Jagannath temple in Digha begins pic.twitter.com/cgygH5tEuN

— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2025

The three chariots are now ready to roll down the Grand Road in Puri as Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath have ascended their respective chariots after over two-hour long ceremonial 'Pahandi' ritual.

The word 'Pahandi' comes from the Sanskrit word 'Padamundanam' which means taking slow steps movement by spreading feet. As per tradition, the 'Pahandi' was carried in 'Dhadi' (line) where the three wooden idols were carried to the chariots from the 12th century temple. The pahandi of the trinity began with Chakraraj Sudarshan, followed by Lord Balabhdra, Devi Subhadra and finally Lord Jagannath.

The trinity was now seated on their respective chariots parked in front of the Lion's Gate of the temple for journey to Shree Gundicha Temple, about 2.6 kilometre from the 12th-century shrine.

The Rath Yatra in Puri has begun with the three sibling deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balbhadra and Goddess Subhadra- being brought to their chariots.

#WATCH | Odisha | Puri Rath Yatra begins with the three sibling deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balbhadra and Goddess Subhadra- being brought to their chariots pic.twitter.com/Rqm2bjAlz6

— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2025

On Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra, Sanjay Kumar, the Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Odisha, said they estimate that 10 to 12 lakh people will gather in Puri today. 

"For their security, crowd management arrangements have been made for both the attendees and our VIPs arriving here. The entire city has been converted into a security cover zone. Following 'Operation Sindoor,' we received intelligence that some anti-social and anti-national elements might attempt to cause disturbances. To prevent this, we have thoroughly planned over several days and are keeping control of the situation," he told the news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Puri, Odisha: On Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra, Sanjay Kumar, ADG L&O Odisha, says, "...We estimate that 10 to 12 lakh people will gather here today. For their security, crowd management arrangements have been made for both the attendees and our VIPs arriving here. The… pic.twitter.com/fByocTVeJU

— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2025

Idols of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings have been placed inside their chariots in front of the new temple in West Bengal's Digha town, where its first Rath Yatra will begin shortly.

As part of the festival, the three chariots will be taken out from the temple around 2:30 pm, and the entire journey will be over by 4 pm.

Accompanied by monks of the temple and others, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will perform the ritual.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered greetings to the people on the occasion of Rath Yatra.

“On the sacred occasion of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra, my heartfelt best wishes to all fellow countrymen. May this holy festival of faith and devotion bring happiness, prosperity, good fortune, and excellent health to everyone's life. Jai Jagannath!” he said in a post on X in Hindi.

भगवान जगन्नाथ की रथ यात्रा के पवित्र अवसर पर सभी देशवासियों को मेरी ढेरों शुभकामनाएं। श्रद्धा और भक्ति का यह पावन उत्सव हर किसी के जीवन में सुख, समृद्धि, सौभाग्य और उत्तम स्वास्थ्य लेकर आए, यही कामना है। जय जगन्नाथ! pic.twitter.com/vj8K6a0XKM

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 27, 2025

President Droupadi Murmu greeted the people of the country on the occasion of Rath Yatra and prayed for happiness, peace and prosperity in everyone's life.

"On the occasion of the sacred Rath Yatra, I extend my heartfelt greetings to the devotees of Lord Jagannath residing in India and abroad. By witnessing Lord Balabhadra, Lord Shri Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra, and Chakraraj Sudarshan on the chariot, millions of devotees experience divine bliss," the President said on X.

She also said the "human-like divine play of the deities is the speciality of the Rath Yatra".

"On this auspicious occasion, my prayer to the Lord is that peace, friendship, and harmony prevail throughout the world," President Murmu said.

The 148th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath also began in Ahmedabad with thousands of devotees joining in for a glimpse of the deity.

The raths or chariots of Lord Jagganath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra were pulled out of the Jagannath temple in Jamalpur area of the city by the Khalasi community as per the age-old tradition.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his family members participated in the morning prayers at the Jagannath temple, while Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed 'pahind vidhi', a traditional ceremony of symbolic cleaning of roads by a golden broom.

रथयात्रा के पावन अवसर पर श्री जगन्नाथ मंदिर, अहमदाबाद की मंगला आरती में शामिल होना अपने आप में दिव्य और अलौकिक अनुभव होता है। आज महाप्रभु की मंगला आरती में शामिल होकर दर्शन-पूजन किया। महाप्रभु सभी पर अपना आशीर्वाद बनाए रखें। pic.twitter.com/T3XDWbjQt1

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 27, 2025

The seaside pilgrim town of Puri in Odisha has turned into a fortress with around 10,000 security personnel deployed for the annual Rath Yatra celebrations of Lord Jagannath.

During the festival in Puri, devotees draw the grand chariots of the three deities -- Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balabhadra, and sister goddess Subhadra -- to the Gundicha Temple, where the deities reside for a week and then return to the Jagannath Temple.

Lakhs of devotees have gathered at Odisha's Puri for the annual Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra. 

Jagannath Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival or Shree Gundicha Yatra, is a major Hindu festival celebrated annually in the coastal town.

#WATCH | Odisha | Sea of devotees gather outside the Shri Jagannath Temple to witness the world-famous annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings in Puri pic.twitter.com/6UU5EgOz9i

— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2025