Lakhs of devotees have thronged the seaside pilgrim town of Puri for Lord Jagannath's annual Ratha Yatra on Friday (June 27, 2025), for which the Odisha government has made elaborate arrangements, officials said.
About one lakh people have reached Puri by Thursday evening, and the number has increased manifold this morning, police sources said.
Lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad are expected to participate in the event, they said.
A security personnel inspects outside the Jagannath Dham ahead of Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra, in Digha | Photo Credit: PTI
“By the grace of Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath), we are fully prepared to conduct a smooth Rath Yatra on Friday. We are getting complete support and cooperation from the servitors. All arrangements are in place to make the mega event successful,” Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee said.
