Thousands Gather for Ranchi Jagannath Rath Yatra Celebrations

Brief By Newsbrief / 5:20 PM on 16 Jul 2026

A sea of devotees gathered at Ranchi's historic Jagannathpur Temple on Thursday as the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra commenced with traditional rituals and religious fervour. Long queues formed from early morning as worshippers offered prayers to Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.

Following special puja, Vedic chanting and ceremonial rituals, the deities were placed on the grand chariot around 2 pm. After the traditional adornment and offering of bhog, the Rath Yatra was scheduled to begin around 5 pm, with the deities proceeding to Mausibari.

The district administration made elaborate arrangements for the event, deploying police personnel, magistrates, volunteers and medical teams. CCTV surveillance, traffic management, drinking water facilities and ambulances were also put in place to ensure a smooth and safe celebration.

Considered one of Jharkhand's oldest and most significant religious festivals, the Jagannathpur Rath Yatra attracts lakhs of devotees every year, with many believing that pulling the chariot's ropes fulfils their wishes.