SJTA Announces Detailed Ritual Schedule for Rath Yatra in Puri

Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Wednesday unveiled the complete timetable of rituals for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, which will be celebrated in Puri on Thursday amid elaborate arrangements.

As per the schedule, the day will begin with Mangal Alati at 6:00 am, followed by Mailam and Tadap Lagi from 6:10 am to 6:30 am. The Rosha Homa ritual will take place at 6:30 am, while Abakasha is scheduled for 7:00 am. This will be followed by Surya Puja at 7:10 am, and Dwarapala Puja along with Besha Sesha at 7:30 am.

The morning offerings, including Gopal Ballav and Sakala Dhupa (Khechudi Bhoga), will be performed between 8:00 am and 9:00 am. The ceremonial Ratha Pratishtha, marking the consecration of the three chariots, will begin at 9:00 am.

One of the most anticipated rituals, the Pahandi Bije, during which the sibling deities are carried from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple to their respective chariots, is scheduled from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. This will be followed by Madanmohan Bije between 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm.

The Chitalagi ritual will be held from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm, while Besha Sesha will continue until 2:30 pm. The revered Chhera Pahanra ceremony, where the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri ceremonially sweeps the chariots with a golden broom, is slated from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Subsequently, Chara Phita and Ghoda Sarathi Lagi rituals will be conducted between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm. The grand Rath Tana, or pulling of the three chariots from the Shree Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, is scheduled to commence at 4:00 pm.

The annual festival is expected to draw lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad. To ensure the smooth conduct of the world-famous yatra, the Odisha government, SJTA, Puri district administration and police have put in place extensive security measures, traffic management plans, crowd-control mechanisms and civic amenities for pilgrims.