Rath Yatra 2025: Three key reasons behind unusual delay in chariot pulling

This year’s grand Rath Yatra in Puri witnessed an unexpected delay in the chariot pulling rituals, sparking discussions among devotees and authorities alike. As the sacred procession of the Holy Trinity unfolded, the movement of the chariots was significantly hindered due to a combination of logistical and crowd-related challenges.

Chariot Turning Becomes a Major Hurdle

The most prominent cause of the delay was the difficulty encountered in maneuvering Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot during a crucial turning point on the Grand Road (Bada Danda). The massive wooden structure, pulled manually by thousands of devotees, took considerable time to adjust its direction—bringing the entire procession to a temporary halt.

Overcrowding Inside Cordon Intensifies the Problem

Another contributing factor was the entry of an unexpectedly large number of devotees into the cordoned-off zones. Despite stringent security arrangements, the inflow of people into restricted areas disrupted the smooth movement of the chariots and slowed down the coordination between sevayats (temple servitors) and security personnel.

Devotee Surge Surpasses Expectations

Puri witnessed a surge of devotees far exceeding the anticipated number. The massive turnout added to the logistical strain on crowd management systems, further delaying the chariot pulling. Authorities admitted the overwhelming rush was beyond earlier projections and have promised corrective measures for smoother proceedings in the coming days.

Authorities Respond

The Puri district administration and Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) acknowledged the setbacks and assured that learnings from today’s experience will guide improvements for the Bahuda Yatra and future Rath Yatra events.