Puri, June 27: As the sacred chants echo through the ancient streets of Puri and the air reverberates with the sounds of conches and cymbals, the holy city once again turns into a cosmic theatre of devotion. With the divine Trinity—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra—taking their majestic positions on the grand chariots during the revered Dhadi Pahandi, the annual Rath Yatra has transformed the town into a vibrant sea of faith and celebration.
Pilgrims from across the globe have flooded into Puri, drawn by an unshakable bond of devotion to their beloved "Kalia Saanta". Their hearts brimming with emotion, their eyes welling with tears, they gather for that one glimpse of the deities on chariot—the moment where heaven meets earth.
Among the ocean of devotees, Prameya English caught up with a few who shared their deep, personal connections with the festival and the Lord of the Universe.
For Sudrshan Sahoo, a resident of Soro in Balasore district, this is more than a ritual—it is a tradition of the soul. "For the last thirty years, I have never missed the Rath Yatra in Puri," he shares, tears of joy streaming down his cheeks. "Seeing the Trinity inside the temple is divine, but watching my Kalia Saanta on the chariot, right before my eyes—that joy is beyond words. It’s a feeling that can't be described, only experienced."
From Nayagarh, 55-year-old Minati Behera has traveled with the same unwavering devotion. Now living with her son in Bangalore, she ensures that every year, she returns to Puri for this one occasion. "This is my 16th Rath Yatra. No matter where I stay, I never miss this day," she says with pride. "I’m truly grateful for the arrangements made this year. The administration has done a commendable job ensuring the safety and comfort of all devotees."
Meanwhile, Haribandhu Mohanty from Cuttack carries forward a legacy of love and reverence. “My father was a devoted follower of Lord Jagannath. He used to come to Puri once a month, and every time he saw the Lord, tears would fill his eyes,” he reminisces. “After his passing, I have tried to follow in his footsteps. While I may not make it every month, I never miss Rath Yatra. My family and I stay at a relative’s house here for a couple of days just to immerse ourselves in the festival.”
As the chariots roll forward amidst chants and cheers, the message is clear: Rath Yatra is not just a festival—it is a living tradition, a spiritual pilgrimage, and a collective heartbeat of millions of devotees. In Puri, during these divine days, the Lord doesn’t just come out of the temple—He walks among His people, and the people walk with Him, in faith, love, and eternal joy.
