Puri, India - June 28, 2025 The annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings began with the traditional ‘Pahandi’ procession. The incident occurred in Puri, Odisha, eastern India. The visuals shot on June 27 and June 28 from the scene capture thousands of devotees gathered at the sacred site, united in devotion as they push the chariot carrying Lord Jagannath. The atmosphere is vibrant and filled with colours, deep faith, and spiritual energy. As thousands lined the Grand Road with chants of "Jai Jagannath," the sacred ritual marked the ceremonial journey of the deities from the sanctum of the 12th-century Jagannath temple to their chariots, stationed outside the Lion’s Gate. Originally scheduled for 9:30 am, the Pahandi began an hour late and will continue for nearly three hours. During this revered tradition, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath are carried out by temple servitors in a grand procession amid the rhythmic beats of gongs, blowing of conches, and the clash of cymbals. The deities are then seated on their respective chariots—Taladhwaja for Lord Balabhadra, Darpadalan for Devi Subhadra, and Nandighosha for Lord Jagannath—for their journey to the Shree Gundicha Temple, 2.6 km away. The ritual commenced with the ceremonial placement of Chakraraj Sudarshan, the divine weapon of Lord Vishnu, onto Subhadra’s chariot. As per tradition, Lord Balabhadra was brought out next, followed by Goddess Subhadra in the special ‘Sunya Pahandi’—a procession in which she is carried while looking skyward. The arrival of Lord Jagannath, affectionately called Kalia Thakura, stirred deep devotion among the assembled crowd, many of whom had waited hours for a glimpse. Odissi dancers, musicians, and folk artists from across Odisha performed in reverence along the route, adding colour and vibrancy to the spiritual spectacle. "My life will be fulfilled if the Lord even glances at me," said Maitree Maheswari, an Odissi dancer overwhelmed by emotion. The Rath Yatra, observed on the second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha every year, is the only occasion when the sibling deities leave their bejewelled throne—Ratna Sinhasana—descending the 22 steps known as Baisi Pahacha through the Lion’s Gate. Before the Pahandi, rituals such as Mangla Arati and Mailam were also performed inside the temple. After the Pahandi, the ritual of Chherapahanra, where Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb ceremonially sweeps the chariots, is scheduled for 3:30 pm. The grand chariot pulling is set to begin at 4 pm. Amidst the spiritual fervour, unprecedented security measures have been put in place. Over 10,000 personnel from Odisha Police, CAPF, and NSG have been deployed, while more than 275 AI-enabled CCTV cameras monitor the massive crowd. “We have ensured all arrangements for a smooth and safe Rath Yatra,” said Odisha DGP Y B Khurania. Lakhs of devotees, from across India and abroad, have arrived in the holy town to witness one of the world’s largest and oldest religious processions, which continues to unite faith, tradition, and celebration.