The grand Puri Rath Yatra concluded as the majestic 45-feet tall wooden chariots carrying the sibling deities of Shree Jagannath Temple reached their destination at Shree Gundicha Temple. Thousands of devotees pulled these chariots, fulfilling a significant ritual of the nine-day annual sojourn of the Lords. The journey, which began on Sunday, adhered to tradition by halting after sunset on the Grand Road, which connects the Jagannath Temple to the 12th-century shrine. The pulling of the chariots resumed this morning, with Lord Balabhadra atop the Taladwaja chariot arriving at Sharadhabali around 1 pm, followed by Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana and Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosh around 2:35 pm.

Once the chariots reached Shree Gundicha Temple, rituals atop the chariots commenced before servitors escorted the deities into the temple for a week-long stay. During this period, the Lords will give darshan to devotees on the Adapa Mandap until their return journey to their abode. This year’s Rath Yatra was particularly unique, spanning two days and featuring three significant rituals—Netra Utsav, Nabajaubana Darshan, and Rath Yatra—all held on the same day. The last time such a celestial arrangement occurred was 53 years ago, in 1971.

Rath Yatra is notable as the only time Lord Jagannath comes out of his holy abode to give darshan to people of all religions. On regular days, only Hindus are allowed into the Jagannath Temple. This inclusive aspect of the festival highlights its significance in promoting unity and devotion among a diverse range of devotees. The successful conclusion of this year’s Rath Yatra reaffirms the rich cultural heritage and religious fervor associated with this ancient festival, drawing millions of devotees and tourists from around the globe to witness and participate in this grand celebration of faith and tradition.