Puri, Jul 15: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has released the official ritual schedule for the annual Rath Yatra 2026 of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, which will be celebrated in Puri on Thursday, July 16.

The sacred festivities will commence with the Mangal Alati at 6:00 am, followed by a series of traditional rituals inside the Shree Jagannath Temple before the deities are ceremonially escorted to their majestic wooden chariots in the grand Pahandi procession.

Rath Yatra 2026 Ritual Schedule

6:00 am: Mangal Alati

6:10 am – 6:30 am: Mailam and Tadap Lagi

6:30 am: Rosha Homa

7:00 am: Abakasha

7:10 am: Surya Puja

7:30 am: Dwarapala Puja

7:30 am: Besha Sesha

8:00 am – 9:00 am: Gopal Ballav and Sakala Dhupa (Khechudi Bhoga)

9:00 am: Ratha Pratishtha

9:30 am: Pahandi begins

12:30 pm: Pahandi concludes

12:30 pm – 1:00 pm: Madanmohan Bije

1:30 pm – 2:00 pm: Chitalagi

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Besha Sesha

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Chhera Pahanra

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Chara Phita and Ghoda Sarathi Lagi

4:00 pm: Pulling of the three chariots begins

The highlight of the festival, the Pahandi, will witness Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Sudarshan being carried in a rhythmic ceremonial procession from the sanctum sanctorum to their respective chariots stationed on the Grand Road (Bada Danda).

Following the traditional Chhera Pahanra ritual, during which the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri ceremonially sweeps the chariot platforms with a golden broom, devotees will begin pulling the three grand chariots towards the Gundicha Temple.

Lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad are expected to converge in the holy city to witness one of the world's largest and most revered chariot festivals. Authorities have made extensive security, traffic, crowd management, and civic arrangements to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the annual Rath Yatra.