Rath Yatra 2026 Preparations Begin with ‘Ratha Katha Anukula Puja’
Puri: The sacred rituals for the world-famous Rath Yatra 2026 have officially commenced with the traditional Ratha Katha Anukula Puja performed on Basant Panchami.
The ceremony, held at the Rath Khala near the Shree Jagannath Temple office, marked the spiritual beginning of the chariot construction process.
As part of the ritual, three sacred Dhaura logs were ceremonially placed at the Rath Khala. The puja included Saraswati Puja, sanctification by temple priests and the royal Rajguru, and purification with lime water.
These age-old practices symbolize the divine approval for the grand festival preparations.
The construction timeline will follow tradition: the cutting of logs begins on Ram Navami, while the actual building of the three majestic chariots for Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra starts on Akshaya Tritiya.
The first batch of 83 logs, comprising 20-foot and 12-foot Dhaura wood pieces, has already arrived in Puri’s Bada Danda.
Transported from the Daspalla forest region of Nayagarh district in three trucks, more consignments are expected in phases to meet the requirements of the massive chariot structures.
The Rath Yatra, one of the most significant festivals in Odisha, draws millions of devotees and tourists from across the globe.
The commencement of these rituals not only preserves centuries-old traditions but also sets the stage for the grand spectacle that will unfold in July 2026.
