Foreign devotees joined millions of Indian pilgrims in Puri, Odisha, for the start of the Grand Jagannath Rath Yatra on July 16, 2026 [1].
The festival represents one of India's most significant spiritual gatherings, drawing global attention to the region's ancient traditions and the intersection of local faith and international interest.
The nine-day chariot procession [2] centers on the movement of sacred chariots through the streets of Puri. Foreign visitors traveled to the city to witness the rituals and experience the devotion of the crowds [3]. Some of these international devotees said, "Indian people pray with sincerity" [4].
Crowd management remains a primary concern for local authorities due to the scale of the event. While some reports indicated that up to 400,000 devotees were expected [5], other reports said that millions of devotees have gathered in the city [6]. To manage the influx, officials deployed 13,000 security personnel [7].
The Odisha police are utilizing special forces to maintain order during the procession [8]. These measures are intended to ensure the safety of the diverse crowd as they participate in the spiritual rituals associated with the festival [3].
The Rath Yatra is characterized by the pulling of giant chariots by the faithful, a practice that continues to attract a growing number of non-Indian participants who seek a firsthand experience of the city's religious atmosphere [6].
“"Indian people pray with sincerity"”
The presence of foreign devotees at the Jagannath Rath Yatra highlights the growing global reach of Indian spiritual tourism. The disparity in attendance figures—ranging from 400,000 to several million—underscores the logistical challenges the Odisha government faces in managing one of the world's largest annual religious congregations.
