Puri: A wave of joy and profound relief swept through holi town today as all three grand chariots successfully reached the Shree Gundicha Temple, much to the delight of devotees who had been deeply concerned after yesterday’s events. The smooth culmination of this crucial phase of the Rath Yatra has been hailed as nothing short of divine intervention.
The atmosphere around the temple premises was electric, with chants of “Jai Jagannath” echoing through the air as thousands of devotees witnessed the successful arrival of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. Their journey from the Shree Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, known as Rath Jatra, is a pivotal moment in the annual festival.
Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), expressed immense satisfaction at the day’s proceedings. “All Mahaprabhu ki Leela (It’s all the divine play of Lord Jagannath),” he remarked, attributing the positive outcome to the Lord’s grace. His words resonated deeply with the faithful, who believe that divine will guides every aspect of the sacred festival.
Yesterday’s unforeseen circumstances, which had created anxiety among the devotees, were all but forgotten as cheers erupted with each chariot’s arrival. The successful completion of this leg of the journey has reinforced the unwavering faith of millions and set a joyous tone for the remaining rituals of the Rath Jatra.
The most prominent issue was a significant delay in the pulling of the chariots, particularly Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot. It reportedly got stuck at a key turning point on the Grand Road (Bada Danda) for over an hour, preventing the other two chariots from advancing.
This brought the sacred procession to a standstill for an extended period. Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosa chariot was also only symbolically pulled for a short distance before being halted.
A surge of devotees, far exceeding official estimates, entered cordoned-off areas despite strict security measures. This massive crowd not only disrupted the flow of the chariots but also led to a significant number of injuries and health issues.
Over 750 devotees had to be hospitalized due to exhaustion and crowd pressure.
Many experienced minor injuries, vomiting, and fainting, primarily attributed to the sweltering heat and high humidity.
Around 625 individuals were reportedly hospitalized, with several in critical condition (at least 12 in ICU).
The prolonged halt of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot near the Balagandi area led to a dense buildup of people, resulting in injuries as devotees tried to escape the congested space.
Chariots Halted Overnight: Due to these issues, the chariots with the deities inside were kept on the Grand Road overnight under tight security, a very unusual occurrence. The chariot pulling was only resumed today, Saturday, June 28, 2025, at around 9:30 AM after morning rituals.
These events naturally caused considerable anxiety among the millions of devotees witnessing the Rath Yatra, making today’s successful arrival of all chariots at the Gundicha Temple a source of immense relief and joy. The SJTA Chief’s comment, “All Mahaprabhu ki Leela,” acknowledges the challenges faced but ultimately attributes the successful conclusion to divine grace.