President Droupadi Murmu to Visit Puri for Jagannath Rath Yatra on July 7

Preparations for the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra on July 7 are in full swing, with chariot-making nearing completion. Puri District Magistrate Siddharth Shankar Swain announced that President Droupadi Murmu will attend the event.

Swain stated, “As you know, this year is a very unique Rath Yatra in the sense that all the three important rituals are falling on the same day. At the same time, it’s challenging and it is a matter of privilege as well. President Droupadi Murmu is also going to visit Puri on the day of the chariot pulling. All the concerned departments are in readiness, and we had several rounds of interdepartmental and coordination meetings.”

Special arrangements include a 225-bed super speciality hospital and extensive police deployment. Around 28 parking places have been identified, and public amenities are being planned for visitors from different districts and states.

The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot festival, is believed to be as old as the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The festival involves the journey of deities to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha Devi’s Temple, and culminates with their return after eight days. The celebration stretches from Akshaya Tritiya in April to the return of the deities to the Shree Mandir premises.