Happy Rath Yatra 2025: Special trains, helplines, puja timings and routes

The world-renowned Rath Yatra of Odisha, the annual festival held in honour of Lord Jagannath,  begins today in Puri. The procession, in which Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Subhadra and Balabhadra, are taken out in chariots to the Gundicha Temple, generally draws devotees and tourists from far and wide. The Indian Railways operates around 365 trains to the city and approximately 800 buses for devotees. Elaborate security arrangements, including the presence of the National Security Guard snipers, bomb and dog squads, Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Marine Police, drones, anti-sabotage teams and more, have also been deployed at the site. The chariot pulling ceremony or 'rathatana' will begin at 4 pm. The nine-day festival will conclude by July 5. 

Today's programme schedule
Ceremonial deity transfer: 9.30 am to 12.30 pm
Second deity adornment: 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm
Temple ground sweeping: 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm
Chariot pulling: 4 pm

Route for Rath Yatra
The Rath Yatra will start at the Lord Jagannath Temple, proceed along the Bada Danda aka Grand road for around 3 km, take the traditional Poda Pitha sweet along the way from the Mausima Temple, do another ceremonial stop at Balagandi and end the procession at the Gundicha Temple, which is just 3 km from the Jagannath Temple. Though the distance is just 3 km, the procession can take a long time due to the crowds and ritual stops. 

Special trains
The East Coast Railway had announced around 365 trains for devotees, connecting Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. You can contact the number 139 for any general train info and 182 for security support. For any other assistance on Rath Yatra information, contact 993701184.