The Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri is set to begin on June 27, with preparations in full swing. As the event draws huge crowds, traffic management is a major focus. Additional Director General (ADG) of Traffic, Dayal Gangwar, shared that 21 parking areas are being set up, along with five holding zones to manage the crowd during peak times. The main parking arrangements will be centered around three key locations.

Technology will also play a role this year, with mobile apps providing real-time updates and assistance to the public, offering improved convenience and facilities. The festival involves the grand procession of three massive chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balabhadra, and sister Goddess Subhadra to the Gundicha Temple, where they stay for a week before returning to the main Jagannath Temple. To ensure readiness, a multi-agency mock drill was conducted near the Shri Jagannath Temple in Dharamshala to test coordination and emergency response. Puri SP Vineet Agarwal stated that 11 agencies participated in this anti-terror exercise.

Earlier, on June 11, the sacred Snana Purnima ritual was observed, where the deities were bathed with 108 pots of holy water—an important prelude to the Rath Yatra. Held annually on the second day of Shukla Paksha in June or July, the Rath Yatra is one of Odisha’s most significant religious festivals. The wooden chariots are rebuilt each year for this grand event.