Three Rath Yatra chariots arrive at Gundicha Temple

The annual Rath Yatra festival in Puri, Odisha, concluded its first phase on Friday, July 17, 2026, as the three sacred chariots carrying the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra arrived at the Gundicha Temple. The journey, which began on Thursday, was completed a day later than the traditional schedule after the procession was suspended overnight due to fading light.

The ceremonial pulling of the massive wooden chariots, known as Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana, commenced on Thursday afternoon but was halted around 7 p.m. as the ritual hours concluded. The chariots remained stationed at different points along the Grand Road overnight. Lord Balabhadra's chariot halted near Market Chhak, Devi Subhadra's at Marchikote Chhak, and Lord Jagannath's near the main temple's Lions Gate after covering only a short distance.

The procession resumed shortly after 9:30 a.m. on Friday amid chants from lakhs of devotees, with all three chariots reaching the sand patch in front of the Gundicha Temple by the afternoon. Temple administration officials attributed the initial delay to a 40-minute hold-up in the Pahandi ritual, the ceremonial transfer of the...