The Odisha government has rolled out an unprecedented security and crowd management plan for the annual Rath Yatra.
Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2026: Odisha’s coastal town of Puri is all set for the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra, with the sacred town making final preparations ahead of the grand procession on Thursday. The three iconic wooden chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were brought from the Rathakhala to the front of the Jagannath Temple after the traditional Agyan Mala Bije ritual, marking the completion of preparations for the festival.
Lakhs of devotees have already started arriving in the temple town, with the Odisha government expecting nearly 30 lakh pilgrims to participate in the world-famous festival.
Chariots Ready for Grand Procession
The three chariots– Nandighosha of Lord Jagannath, Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra and Darpadalana of Devi Subhadra– are now stationed in front of the temple under tight security.
Following traditional rituals, including the ceremonial Chhera Pahanra by the Gajapati Maharaja, the chariots are scheduled to begin their journey to the Gundicha Temple at around 4 pm on Thursday, marking the start of the nine-day Rath Yatra celebrations.
Massive Security Cover
With memories of last year’s stampede that claimed three lives still fresh, the Odisha government has rolled out an unprecedented security and crowd management plan.
More than 13,000 police personnel, along with 15 companies of central armed forces, including NSG, RAF, CRPF and BSF personnel, have been deployed across Puri. The Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Odisha Police have also launched joint patrols along the coast, while Quick Response Teams have been stationed for emergencies.
Around 500 CCTV cameras, drones, anti-drone systems, bomb squads and dog squads will monitor the entire procession through an integrated command and control centre.
What Happened In 2025?
At least three devotees were killed and over 50 were injured after a stampede broke out near Shri Gundicha Temple during the annual Rath Yatra in June 2025.
The stampede reportedly began when two trucks carrying sacred ritual materials entered the already-crowded Saradhabali area near the temple. Devotees had been waiting since the early hours to witness the sacred ‘Pahuda’ ritual, during which the cloth covering the deities’ faces is removed.
The unexpected entry of the trucks caused panic, pushing the crowd into disarray. Several people were trampled or suffocated in the chaos.
A high-level probe was ordered after the fatal incident. While the probe report was not made public, a report in HT said it pinned blame on negligence of cops and failure of the AI-based integrated command and control centre.
The inquiry report said the police failed to manage the swelling crowd near the chariots and allowed a loaded truck to enter the choc-a-block area, triggering the stampede. The probe, led by development commissioner Anu Garg, also found several CCTVs to be either poorly positioned or non-functional. In fact, of the 275 CCTV cameras, only 123 functioned at any point, the report said.
Focus On Crowd Management
Authorities have created multiple evacuation corridors and introduced stricter crowd-control measures near the chariots.
Supporters accompanying VIPs will not be allowed into restricted areas around the chariots to prevent congestion. Special arrangements have also been made for elderly devotees, women and persons with disabilities, while around 1,700 bio-toilets have been installed across the town.
A multi-agency mock drill involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Fire Service, Scouts and Guides and other agencies was conducted on Tuesday to test emergency response and disaster preparedness.
Covid Vigil
The authorities are also grappling with additonal concern of Covid-19 in neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh. The state reported its first Covid-19-related deaths since 2022, with two people succumbing to the infection and four others testing positive in Kadapa district, prompting health authorities to step up surveillance in the region.
With the government expecting lakhs of devotees, it has stepped up Covid surveillance and random testing. Ganjam district, which shares a border with neighbouring Andhra, has been placed on high alert.
Rain Forecast
Apart from managing crowds, officials are also preparing for adverse weather after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in Puri. The temple town received nearly 144 mm of rain over the past 24 hours, prompting authorities to deploy pumps to clear waterlogging from the Grand Road where the chariots will be pulled.
Schools in Puri have been closed, and pilgrims have been advised to remain cautious during thunderstorms and avoid overcrowded areas during heavy rain.
To facilitate travel, Indian Railways will operate over 300 special trains, while the Odisha government has deployed around 800 buses to transport devotees from different parts of the state.
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