Rath Yatra 2025 commences today: Amit Shah offers prayers at Jagannath Temple; Puri gears up for festival: check route, key details

As the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra commenced today, a large crowd has assembled in Puri to witness the divine glimpse of Mahaprabhu atop the chariot in Puri, Odisha. Preparations for the elaborate celebration and security arrangements have been put in place for the Yatra. Beginning the annual festival on a spiritual note, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a Gujarat visit, took part in Mangala Aarti at the historic Shri Temple in Jamalpur, Ahmedabad. He described the festival as a "unique confluence of faith and devotion".

Where did Amit Shah offer prayers on Rath Yatra 2025?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday offered prayers at the over 400-year-old Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad on the occasion of Rath Yatra. He offered the "mangala aarti" at 4 am. In a post on X, Shah highlighted the significance of the Rath Yatra, stating that it embodies the essence of moving forward while cherishing devotion, culture, and heritage."Hail Jagannath! Heartfelt greetings to all on the sacred festival of Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra. The Rath Yatra of Shri Jagannath Ji is a unique confluence of faith and devotion, which teaches us that moving forward while cherishing devotion, culture, and heritage is at the core of our being. I pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Veer Balabhadra, and Mata Subhadra for the welfare and progress of all," Shah posted on X.

Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri: What are the key dates and schedule?

The Rath Yatra begins with a grand procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra through the city of Puri. During the festival, devotees draw the grand chariots of the three deities, where they reside for a week and then return to the Jagannath temple. This year, the ceremony is expected to attract a large crowd, making traffic management a key issue.

“The three chariots have been brought to their designated place for their Gundicha Yatra. Elaborate security arrangements have been made. NSG is also present here,” said Puri DM Siddharth Swain, as reported by ANI. "Today, Mahaprabhu's Rath Yatra will take place. Devotees in huge numbers will gather in Puri. Police have made adequate preparations. All measures for public safety, crowd management and public convenience have been taken. Traffic facilitation has been taken care of. Central agencies have also assisted... The Rath Yatra will be conducted smoothly. Our surveillance teams will remain present at the integrated control room. We also have anti-drone teams. They took down three drones today. Except for the friendly drones, action will be taken against any other drone movement," Puri SP Vineet Agarwal added.

Key dates: Gundicha Marjana (Temple Cleaning) took place on June 26. Today, Rath Yatra (Chariot Procession) is going to be held in Odisha’s Puri, Hera Panchami will follow on July 1, while Bahuda Yatra (Return) is scheduled between July 4–5. The dates of Suna Besha (Golden Attire) are July 5–6, and for Niladri Bijay (Final Return), it is July 8, 2025.

What are the security arrangements at Rath Yatra 2025?

According to police officials, more than 250 AI-enabled CCTV cameras have been installed across Puri for surveillance. Comprehensive security arrangements have been put in place, which include the deployment of National Security Guard (NSG) snipers on rooftops along Grand Road in front of the temple; police drones, anti-sabotage teams, bomb squads, dog squads and the Marine Police, Coast Guard, and Indian Navy at the seafront.