Puri is finalizing preparations for the annual Rath Yatra procession starting Thursday, July 16, 2026 [3].
The event is one of the world's most significant religious festivals, drawing lakhs of devotees [2] to witness the journey of the deities from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple [1].
Three chariots have been completed and are ready for the grand procession [1]. The festival lasts for nine days [3], during which Lord Jagannath and sibling deities Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are transported along the Grand Road [1].
To manage the anticipated crowds, the Odisha government has implemented a comprehensive security and traffic plan [4]. Authorities said they have deployed 30 parking zones to organize vehicle flow [5]. Surveillance is a primary focus, with 244 CCTV cameras installed across the area [6].
Security forces will also utilize drone surveillance to monitor the movements of the crowd [7]. These measures aim to ensure the safety of the lakhs of devotees [2] expected to participate in the rituals and the procession.
The final rituals are currently underway as the city prepares for the official start of the event on Thursday [4].
“Three chariots have been completed and are ready for the grand procession.”
The scale of security deployment, including nearly 250 cameras and drone surveillance, highlights the logistical complexity of managing one of India's largest religious gatherings. The coordination between the Odisha government and temple authorities is designed to prevent stampedes and traffic gridlock on the Grand Road during the nine-day peak.
