Lord Balabhadra’s chariot Taladhwaja begins journey to Mausi Maa temple

Puri: Today is Rath Yatra 2026. While the world is celebrating this annual sojourn of the trinity, the grand car festival is going on in Puri dham in Odisha where the famous Lord Jagannath temple, Srimandira exists, the abode of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. On today’s Day the Chaturdhamurti come out of the temple in Pahandi Bije and make the journey to Gundicha temple in three mammoth chariots while lakhs of devotees participate in the great divine happening.

Today in Puri, lakhs of devotees from across the world have assembled to participate in Rath Yatra, the great 9 day journey of Lord Jagannath and His sibling deities.

Here we provide the details of each happening.

Remain with us here to read on Rath Yatra 2026 LIVE happennings, the rituals to the celebration and the  news here:

1. Rath Yatra 2026 begins in Puri of Odisha.
2. Lakhs of devotees have come down to Puri dham to witness this divine annual sojurn of Lord Jagannath.
3. As per the schedule Ratha Pratistha ritual to take place at 9 am. Then Pahandi will commence at 9.30.
4. The Chhera Panhara ritual by Puri Gajapati Maharaja will commence at 2.30 pm. Pulling of chariot to begin at 4 pm
5. President Droupadi Murmu extended Rath Yatra wish and wrote, “…I pray to Mahaprabhu for the happiness and prosperity of the country and its people.”
6. Now, Panchaketana Bana (flag) along with the Lord’s Agyanmala (the garland of authorization) are being fixed atop the three chariots by the designated servitors as part of Rath Pratistha ritual.
7. Pahandi of Chakraraj Sudarshan begins.
8. Pahandi of Lord Sudarshan ends. He was taken in Dhadi Pahandi from the Srimandira and established on the Darpadalana Ratha, the chariot of Devi Subhadra.
9. Pahandi Bije of Lord Balabhadra, the Bada Thakura begins. He is coming in Dhadi Pahandi.
10. The Pahandi of Devi Subhadra has also begun. Her Tahia, the headgear worn by the idol, is swaying gracefully and creating a beautiful sight as servitors carry out the Pahandi ritual to take the idol to her chariot waiting on the Bada Danda for the Rath Yatra.
11. The Pahandi Bije of Lord Balabhadra has concluded, and the massive idol was seated on the Taladhwaja Ratha, which was stationed at Singhadwara, the Lions Gate of Puri Srimandira, right at the Ratha Chakada.
    After the idol was placed inside the chariot by lifting it along the Charamala, the Tahia, the ceremonial headgear, was removed.
    It was observed that servitors present were collecting the auspicious Tulasi leaves or flowers that had been placed on the Tahia. Devotees received them with great devotion, as they consider it sacred to keep something that was worn by Lord Balabhadra.
12. The Pahandi Bije ritual of Devi Subhadra is now complete. The Goddess has taken her seat on the Darpadalana chariot stationed on the Bada Danda after coming in Sunya Pahandi.
13. Pahandi Bije of Lord Jagannath begins.
14. A small chariot, about 4 feet in height, is being pulled on the grand road by a group of devotees.Meanwhile, female dancers are seen performing (Odissi Dance) in front of the deities during the Pahandi, and also in front of the chariots stationed at the Ratha Chakada on the grand road, the Bada Danda of Puri. Male dancers are also dancing in devotion to the Lord.Additionally, some devotees are playing Banati — a structure made of rope that is unique to the Rath Yatra — as part of their devotional display.All these acts reflect the deep devotion of the people as they seek to please Lord Jagannath during His Rath Yatra
15. On Rath Yatra day today, the Bada Danda of Puri is drenched in heavy rain. Continuous downpour throughout the day has soaked the three chariots. It seems as if Lord Indra is washing the grand road even before Kalia Saanth Lord Jagannath and sibling deities arrive. Rain has been lashing Puri since yesterday, yet devotees have thronged the Bada Danda undeterred by the weather. According to reports, over 200 mm of rainfall has been recorded in Puri in the last 45 hours. Such heavy rain in a short span has led to waterlogging in several low-lying areas of the city. Knee-deep water has accumulated on the Bada Danda and in many lanes, causing considerable hardship for devotees who have come to witness the Rath Yatra as well as for local residents. Between 8:30 PM on Wednesday and 5:30 AM on Thursday alone, 72.8 mm of rain was recorded. Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre Director Manorama Mohanty has advised devotees coming for the Rath Yatra to stay alert during thunderstorms and lightning, avoid taking shelter under trees and electric poles, and keep a watch on official weather department updates throughout the day.
16. Over 13,500 security personnel deployed in Puri. Security tightened with 400 CCTV cameras installed to monitor the Rath Yatra and ensure smooth proceedings.
17. Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra have already been seated in their respective chariots. However, Lord Jagannath’s Pahandi is still underway and has been delayed.According to reports, for some time the Lord has remained at the ‘Gumuta’, the entrance of the Srimandira.While all other rituals of the day were conducted on time, and some even ahead of schedule, the Pahandi of Lord Jagannath is running late.For devotees, this is being seen as the ‘Leela’ of Lord Jagannath. He is called ‘Manua Thakura’ — one who acts according to His own will and only when He is pleased. Even in this Kali Yuga, Lord Jagannath does as He wishes, and there have been many such instances in the past.Hence, this delay is being regarded by devotees as the ‘Ajhata’ of the Lord. As per reports, senior officials of the state government and the Srimandira administration have approached the Lord at the Gumuta and sought divine forgiveness in case any mistake was made unknowingly.At present, signs indicate that Lord Jagannath may be preparing to come out of the Gumuta, but He is yet to actually proceed.
18. Lord Jagannath has now come out a little from the ‘Gumuta’. However, the Tahia is not seen on His head. Devotees say that even though the Tahia is absent, the clouds in the sky serve as His Tahia today. The Puri sky is overcast and it is raining intermittently.
19. The Pahandi of Lord Jagannath is currently underway. The Lord is being taken to the chariot with a gentle, swaying movement — ‘jhuli jhuli’ in Odia.He is adorned with a red turban, and a profusion of Tulsi leaves and flowers have been placed on His head as servitors carry out the Pahandi of the massive idol of Kalia Thakura.With His large, round eyes — for which He is called ‘Chaka Akhi’, meaning ‘one with wheel-like eyes’ — the Lord is presenting a divine sight.Lakhs of devotees have gathered in Puri to witness this celestial event, while crores of devotees across the world are watching the Rath Yatra live. The festival is being telecast on multiple channels, with DD Odia providing the master feed.
20. Lord Jagannath has now arrived near the chariot and is being lifted onto it along the Charamala to be seated on His throne, so that lakhs of devotees can have darshan of their cherished Lord atop the chariot. A mythological verse says, ‘Rathe Tu Vamanam Drushtwa Punarjanma Na Vidyate’, which means: “By merely having darshan of Lord Vamana on the chariot, one is freed from the cycle of birth and rebirth.” The verse highlights the significance of the Rath Yatra, where even a single glimpse of Lord Jagannath on His chariot is believed to grant spiritual liberation and bring the soul closer to ultimate salvation.
21. Lord Jagannath has now boarded His chariot, Nandighosha Ratha, after proceeding from the Ratna Singhasana in the sanctum sanctorum of the Srimandira, the famed Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri Dham.
22. Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deba performs sacred ‘Chera Panhara’ rituals on the chariots of the Holy Trinity.
23. Lord Balabhadra’s chariot, the Taladhwaja, has began its journey to the Mausi Maa Temple (Maternal Aunt’s Abode).