Puri Rath Yatra 2025: Key meeting held to finalise arrangements, strategies

A crucial meeting was held on Tuesday to finalise the arrangements and decide strategies for this year’s 9-day sojourn of the Holy Trinity of Puri Jagannath Temple (the 12th Century Vaishnavite shrine), emphasising controlled access for the temple servitors and volunteers, including detailed operational planning.

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Puri is gearing up for the upcoming annual Rath Yatra with an updated strategy to ensure a smooth and safe rolling of chariots and performance of rituals.

According to sources, the key meeting was held to discuss and finalise the arrangements for the upcoming Rath Yatra festivities in Puri. The focus of the meeting was to ensure that the divine event is held smoothly, unlike the previous year, with no untoward incidents.

This year, a separate strategy has been formulated to address potential challenges. Only authorised workers will be allowed to participate in the Pahandi procession, and the event will be closely monitored by respective Nijog members, including the president and secretary. They will manage all aspects of the procession’s organisation and execution.

Additionally, the servitors will be allowed to take part based on their ‘Satwalipi’ (service list), ensuring that only those identified would enter the cordoned area. Sevayats who are not included in this list will not be permitted into the Pahandi cordon. For each idol, a senior official will be designated to oversee and coordinate the Pahandi ritual.

The arrangements for Rath cleaning, the pulling of the chariots, and the overall coordination for rolling out the three chariots are in the final stage. The focus this year is on streamlining the procession logistics and ensuring that all safety protocols are in place.

Mobile phones, including for the assistant servitors, will only be allowed during critical moments of assistance, as agreed upon by all stakeholders.

All members, including those overseeing the administrative work of the Srimandir, attended the meeting along with Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain and SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee at the temple office conference hall.