Bhubaneswar, January 23: The preparations for Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra in Puri began with the Adya Parva ritual on Friday. Celebrated on Shree Panchami Tithi, the ceremony included the Aavahan (invocation) of Goddess Saraswati and the Anukula Puja, which marks the start of constructing the three chariots for Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.

Held in front of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) office, the Anukula Puja officially launched the chariot-building process. The event was attended by SJTA Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Puri District Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida, Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh, and other officials, along with servitors involved in the chariot construction.

Dr. Padhee offered prayers for a successful Rath Yatra and expressed confidence in the smooth execution of the festival, thanks to the joint efforts of the temple administration, authorities, and devotees. With these rituals completed, the countdown to the grand Rath Yatra 2026 has officially begun.