Preliminary preparations for the world-famous Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 have officially begun, marking the start of a sacred tradition that draws millions of devotees to Odisha’s coastal temple town each year.
A five-member team from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), led by chariot supervisor Chittaranjan Mahapatra, departed from Puri on Monday for the Dasapalla range in Nayagarh district. The team carried traditional offerings from the Jagannath Temple—including garlands, betel leaves, areca nuts, sindoor, lamps, and naivedya—to present at the Badaraula Thakurani temple in Badamul.
On Tuesday, following puja and archana at the temple and seeking the goddess’s permission, the process of identifying and marking timber for the three grand chariots will commence. The chariots require a total of 865 wooden logs for construction. With 47 pieces remaining from the previous year, the team needs to source 818 new logs of specific trees: asana, dhaura, and phasi.
The selected wood will undergo sanctification rituals on the upcoming Saraswati Puja (Vasant Panchami), while full-scale chariot construction is scheduled to begin on Akshaya Tritiya in April 2026. The Rath Yatra itself is expected in July 2026.
Speaking to reporters, Bhoi Sardar Ravi Bhoi said, “We have set out as a five-member team from Puri to Badamul in Nayagarh to identify the chariot wood for the 2026 Rath Yatra. After tomorrow’s puja, the marking process will start. As per tradition, three dhaura logs will be sanctified on Saraswati Puja and sent to Puri, with subsequent batches following in phases.”
Chittaranjan Mahapatra, overseeing the chariot works for the first time, expressed his gratitude: “I feel blessed to receive this opportunity for the first time. I have fully surrendered myself to Mahaprabhu, and with His blessings, I believe the wood selection for this year’s Rath Yatra will proceed smoothly.”
This annual ritual underscores the deep-rooted traditions surrounding the construction of new chariots each year for Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra, ensuring the grandeur of one of India’s most celebrated festivals continues unbroken.
