Bhubaneswar: Odisha Administration gears up for the 2026 Ratha Jatra as a second high-level preparatory meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Shrimati Anu Garg to ensure a smooth and spiritual experience for millions of devotees.
ACS Home, Industry & I&PR, Shri Hemant Sharma, ACS Revenue & Chief Administrator SJTA Dr.Arabinda Kumar Padhee, DGP Shri Y B Khurania attended the meeting along with other senior Secretaries.
During this session, senior officials emphasized that the safety and security of the public remain the top priority for the upcoming festival, which is scheduled to begin on July 16, 2026.
The spiritual significance of the Ratha Jatra, also known as the Festival of Chariots, lies in the belief that Lord Jagannatha, along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, leaves the sanctum sanctorum of the Srimandira to meet his devotees on the Grand Road (Bada Danda). This annual nine-day journey to the Shree Gundicha Temple symbolizes the deities visiting their aunt’s home and is considered a celebration of universal equality and devotion.
Key rituals for the 2026 festival include the Pahandi, where the deities are carried in a rhythmic procession to their respective chariots—Nandighosa, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana. Following this, the Gajapati Maharaja will perform the Chhera Pahanra, a humbling ritual of sweeping the chariot platforms with a golden broom, signifying that all are equal before the divine.
To accommodate the massive crowds and ensure order, the DGP has advised the installation of extensive CCTV coverage from Uttara Chhak to the Bada Danda, with technical support from OCAC.
Additionally, the Information and Public Relations Department plans to install LED screens at 70 locations to provide devotees with real-time updates on rituals and the progress of the chariots.