The grand Puri Rath Yatra 2026 began with Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot leading the sacred procession along the Bada Danda (Grand Road) in Puri on Thursday.
As the first of the three majestic chariots to roll forward, Taladhwaja marked the ceremonial beginning of the world-renowned Rath Yatra, with lakhs of devotees chanting hymns and offering prayers along the route.
Taladhwaja Leads the Procession
According to the traditional sequence of the Rath Yatra, Lord Balabhadra, the elder brother of Lord Jagannath, begins the divine journey by leading the procession to the Gundicha Temple.
The movement of Taladhwaja is regarded as one of the most significant moments of the festival, symbolising the commencement of the Holy Trinity’s annual journey outside the Shree Jagannath Temple.
Lakhs Witness the Sacred Festival
Despite intermittent rainfall, devotees from across India and abroad gathered in Puri to witness the historic procession.
Thousands joined in pulling the sacred chariot ropes, while priests and servitors performed traditional rituals amid devotional chants that echoed through the Grand Road.
The atmosphere was filled with spiritual fervour as the centuries-old tradition unfolded before pilgrims and visitors.
A Symbol of Faith and Devotion
Taladhwaja is one of the three magnificent wooden chariots constructed anew every year for the Rath Yatra.
Its journey represents devotion, unity and the enduring spiritual heritage of Lord Jagannath’s annual festival, one of the world’s largest religious processions.
As Lord Balabhadra’s chariot rolled through Bada Danda, devotees celebrated the beginning of another sacred chapter in Odisha’s rich cultural and religious tradition.
