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Puri Jagannath Yatra 2025 Live Updates: Gajapati Maharaja Divyasingha Deb performs ‘Chhera Pahanra’ ritual ahead of Rath Yatra

THE TIMES OF INDIA | Jun 27, 2025, 15:13:32 IST

Puri Jagannath Yatra 2025 Live Updates: Gajapati Maharaja Divyasingha Deb performs ‘Chhera Pahanra’ ritual ahead of Rath Yatra

The annual Rath Yatra in Puri began on Friday with the ceremonial ‘Pahandi’ procession, as lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad gathered to witness Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra being carried from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple to their chariots for the journey to Gundicha Temple. Though the ritual began an hour late, all other events are proceeding as per schedule. Authorities have deployed over 10,000 personnel, including NSG snipers, anti-terror squads, and NDRF teams, amid heightened security following Indo-Pak tensions and the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Drone flying over temple zones has been strictly prohibited, with several illegal drones already seized. The administration has also implemented flood precautions and infrastructure upgrades, while the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has emphasized timely and disciplined conduct of all rituals. Stay with TOI for live updates.

15:13 (IST) Jun 27

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 Live: Gajapati Maharaja performs 'Chhera Pahanra', offers aarti and chamer seva to deities

The Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Divyasingha Deb, performed the sacred 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual on Friday, sweeping the floors of the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra before the commencement of the Rath Yatra.

Dressed in pristine white and carried in a silver-plated palanquin, the titular king of Puri arrived at the chariots amid Vedic chants. He ascended each chariot and swept the platform with a gold-handled broom, as priests chanted Sanskrit slokas and showered the area with flowers and fragrant water. The Maharaja also performed aarti and rendered ‘Chamer Seva’, waving a ceremonial fan before the deities.

14:59 (IST) Jun 27

Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 Live: A divine view of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha, adorned with the floral Tahiya and swinging & swaying in the arms of servitors as he ascends to the Nandighosha Ratha.

— ANI (@ANI)

13:36 (IST) Jun 27

Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 Live: Sambit Patra hails divine atmosphere as deities take their place on chariots

BJP MP Sambit Patra shared his experience while participating in the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, saying, “It’s a very beautiful atmosphere here. All three chariots are right behind us, and all the deities have now taken their place on the chariots.”

13:33 (IST) Jun 27

Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 Live: Dharmendra Pradhan joins celebrations, lauds rituals and arrangements

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan participated in the Jagannath Rath Yatra and shared an update, saying, "The initial rituals of Mahaprabhu Rath Yatra have been completed. Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Balbhadra ji, Maa Subhadra and Sudarshan ji have now boarded the chariots. I thank Odisha CM Mohan Majhi, and minister Prithviraj Harichandan, district and state administrations for such arrangements."

13:28 (IST) Jun 27

Things are going smoothly. In case there is an emergency situation, we have all the provisions to respond to it... We have equipment like defibrillators, CPR, Oxygen pack... About 1500 people have been deployed - 430 deployed on the beach as lifeguards, 6 rapid response teams, people spraying water to beat the heat, we have 20 high-pressure pumps to remove excess water: Fire services DG Sudhanshu Sarangi

12:46 (IST) Jun 27

Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 Live: Odisha CM Mohan Majhi, Union ministers join thousands to witness Jagannath Rath Yatra

— PTI_News (@PTI_News)

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12:44 (IST) Jun 27

Puri Jagannath Yatra 2025 Live: Deities being carried to the chariots as Jagannath Rath Yatra is set to begin.

— PTI_News (@PTI_News)

12:34 (IST) Jun 27

Puri Rath Yatra 2025 Live: Pahandi procession begins after hour-long delay

The 'Pahandi' ritual in which Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath are being carried in a procession from the 12th-century temple to their respective chariots for the Rath Yatra started on Friday. Though the ritual was scheduled to begin at 9:30 am, it commenced one hour late and will continue for three hours. The deities are being carried in a grand procession to their chariots parked near the Lion's Gate for their journey to Shree Gundicha Temple, located about 2.6 km away.

12:34 (IST) Jun 27

Puri Rath Yatra 2025 Live: Lakhs gather as sibling deities embark on 2.6km journey

A sea of devotees gathered in Puri on Friday to witness the world-famous Jagannath Rath Yatra, as Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, embarked on the ceremonial journey from the Shri Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. All rituals are being conducted as per schedule amid heightened security arrangements.

12:34 (IST) Jun 27

Puri Rath Yatra 2025 Live: Security tightened with NDRF support, multiple drones taken down near temple

Speaking to ANI about the arrangements, Puri District Magistrate Siddharth Swain said, "...The yatra route is full of devotees. All rituals related to the Rath Yatra will be conducted on time. Police have been deployed since last night. This time, NDRF has also been deployed... Yesterday, we removed illegal 6-7 drones. Flying of drones over Shri Jagannath Temple and the Gundicha temple is not allowed."

12:33 (IST) Jun 27

Puri Rath Yatra 2025 Live: NDRF teams stand ready amid massive crowd presence

A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been stationed in Puri as a precautionary measure due to the high footfall and scale of the event. NDRF Deputy Commandant Naveen Rana said, "Our personnel are trained to handle all situations, including any medical emergency, structure collapse or any other. We had conducted four mock drills along with the District Administration here."

12:33 (IST) Jun 27

Puri Rath Yatra 2025 Live: Global devotees witness trinity’s arrival at Gundicha Temple for 7-day sojourn

The yatra drew lakhs of devotees, many of whom had travelled from different parts of the country and abroad to witness the grand chariots of the three deities at the Gundicha Temple, where they will reside for a week before returning to the Jagannath Temple.

12:33 (IST) Jun 27

Puri Rath Yatra 2025 Live: Odisha CM urges faithful participation in sacred festival

Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended a heartfelt welcome to devotees on the occasion of the annual Rath Yatra. In his message, CM Majhi said, "Join the Rath Yatra with faith and devotion, witness the divine glimpse of Mahaprabhu atop the chariot, and receive His blessings."

12:33 (IST) Jun 27

Puri Rath Yatra 2025 Live: Grand Road decked up, flood measures in place amid rain alert

Amid chants of 'Jai Jagannath', devotees awaited eagerly as the deities prepared to commence their journey. The Grand Road has been decorated beautifully. Given IMD's rain forecast, the administration has made arrangements to address waterlogging. "We are fully prepared to host the grand festival. All requisite infrastructure and tourist amenities are in place," Puri collector Siddharth Shankar Swain said.

12:32 (IST) Jun 27

Puri Rath Yatra 2025 Live: Indo-Pak tensions trigger massive security buildup with NSG snipers, AI CCTV, drone surveillance

Enhanced security measures have been put in place amid Indo-Pak tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack. Deployment rose from 6,500 to over 10,000 personnel. An anti-terror squad, armed vehicles, NSG snipers, AI-enabled CCTV cameras and drones have been positioned. DGP Y B Khurania said, "We have put in place foolproof security, crowd control and traffic arrangements." SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee added, "We have held a series of meetings with the servitors, who have assured us full cooperation for timely and disciplined conduct of all rituals."

The Rath Yatra began in Puri on Friday with the 'Pahandi' ritual, where Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra were carried to their chariots. The ritual started an hour late and will continue for three hours.

Lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad gathered to witness the deities’ journey to the Gundicha Temple, 2.6 km away, where they will stay for a week.

Puri District Magistrate confirmed timely rituals and deployment of police and NDRF teams. Six to seven illegal drones were seized, and drone flying over temple areas is banned.

NDRF personnel are on standby for emergencies, with multiple mock drills conducted in advance.

The administration has implemented rain-related safeguards and ensured infrastructure readiness. A ministerial team is overseeing the arrangements.

Security has been intensified amid Indo-Pak tensions, with over 10,000 personnel, NSG snipers, AI CCTV, and drones deployed. Servitors have been directed to ensure timely and disciplined rituals.

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