Puri: The Bada Danda here has turned into a sea of humanity as the annual Ratha Jatra of Lord Jagannath and His siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra is being held in the pilgrim town of Odisha's Puri, today.

Lakhs of devotees have thronged the shrine to witness the grand chariot festival of the deities.

The Ratha Jatra marks the journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings, from the Shree Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple here in three chariots namely Nandighosa (for Lord Jagannath), Taladhwaja (for Lord Balabhadra), and Darpadalana (for Devi Subhadra).

The event offers a chance for devotees who may not have access to the inner sanctum of the temple to catch a glimpse of the deities and seek their blessings.

Ritual Timings

  • Pahandi start: 9.30 am.
  • Pahandi end: 12.30 pm.
  • Chhera Pahanra: 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm.
  • Pulling of Chariots: 4 pm.

The administration has made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of the festival.

Traffic Restrictions

  1. All the inter-state tourist buses and local tourist buses will stop and park at Malatipatpur Bus Stand. All the regular passenger carrying buses will be allowed up to Talabania Temporary Bus Stand via Malatipatapur ROB, Toshali Sands, Grid Station Chhak and Bhudan Chhaka.
  2. Puri Town Shuttle Buses/ Auto Rickshaw will be allowed from Talabania to Zilla School Chhaka via Sunara Gouranga Chhaka, BNR Hotel Chhaka, Youth Hostel Chhaka and Nilachala Urban Hata. Their return will be via Zilla school chhaka to Helipad via Ghodabazar, Rama Mandir, Odisha Bakery, Sadar Block office for Buses and via Mangala temple for Auto rickshaw.
  3. Another shuttle services will be available from Malatipatapur Bus Stand to Atharanala in a to-and-from basis.
  4. Two wheelers will avail parking at Jagannath Ballav, Masanichandi, Matitota Parking, Nilachala Ashok and Blue Flag beach. All vehicles will be diverted accordingly.
  5. All LMV/Cars/SUVs will avail parking facilities at the parking places at Indoor Stadium, Helipad, Sanskrit University Parking, ITI College Parking, Nalifield and Yatrika. They will be diverted as per availability of space in parking places accordingly.
  6. For smooth darshan of the Lords by devotees, some shuttle services have been implemented from Talabania to Zilla school Chhaka and From Malatipatapur to Atharanala.
  7. Regulation of vehicular Traffic shall be imposed from 00:00 hrs on 19.06.2023 to 00:00 hrs on 21.06.2023 and from 00:00 hrs on 28.06.2023 to 00:00 hrs on 29.06.2023 as per traffic mobility plan.
  8. For smooth darshan of the Lords by devotees, no vehicle zones will be ensured in the place from Atharanala Chhaka to Hospital Chhaka from Hospital Chhaka to Subash Bose Crossing.
  9. Anyone requiring any assistance - 24x7 help line number Puri Police- 6370967100/06752-232551 is available for assistance.
  10. Police personnel deployed in the duty will perform their duty with smile face and will work with diligence for enabling for a people friendly environment.

Parking Places

The administration will arrange parking lots for tourist buses at five places in the Holy City during the Car Festival. The tourist buses will be parked at Malatipatpur, a nearby khondalite stone stockyard, Talabania, Horticulture department office near Bai Das Nagar and Nagapatna.

However, regular buses will be allowed to a bus stand near Srigundicha temple.

Devotees will be allowed to park their four-wheelers at 15 places in Puri city including an open place near Lokanath temple, near Yatrika guesthouse, Blue Flag beach, SCS College ground, Bhoodan Nagar, Helipad area, ITI College ground and Neelachal Ashoka Hotel ground.

The authorities will arrange parking lots for two-wheelers at SCS College ground, Sushama Garden, Jagannath Ballav, Masanichandi Square, Floris India and Krushak Bazar.

The Grand Road and all others connecting roads will be declared as no parking zones. No vehicle will be allowed to the Grand Road during Ratha Jatra and Bahuda Jatra.