Thousands participate in Jagannath Rath Yatra across Hyderabad

Published 16 July 2026 · local

Thousands of devotees participated in the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra across Hyderabad on Thursday (July 16), with processions organised by the Jagannath Temple in Banjara

Thousands of devotees participated in the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra across Hyderabad on Thursday (July 16), with processions organised by the Jagannath Temple in Banjara Hills and ISKCON drawing devotees from different parts of the city. The annual festival, celebrated on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya, marks the ceremonial journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra on decorated wooden chariots. The festival, one of the most significant in the Vaishnavite tradition, commemorates the deities’ annual sojourn out of the temple to bless devotees, drawing inspiration from the Rath Yatra at Puri in Odisha.

The procession organised by ISKCON began at NTR Stadium and made its way through Narayanguda, Himayathnagar, Basheerbagh, Gunfoundry, GPO Circle and Mozamjahi Market before culminating at the Exhibition Grounds in Nampally. In view of the event, the Hyderabad Traffic Police had announced traffic diversions along the route, with commuters being advised to take alternate roads. Among the devotees was Sonali, originally from Odisha, who travelled from Yapral to participate in the celebrations. Having witnessed the iconic Rath Yatra in Puri, she said attending the procession in Hyderabad had become an annual tradition after moving to the city.

“I have seen the Rath Yatra in Puri, and ever since I shifted to Hyderabad, I have been coming here to offer my prayers. The arrangements are very good. Despite the huge crowd, we don’t feel any inconvenience,” she said. Ramesh, a volunteer, arrived at NTR Stadium at 7 a.m. to help with the preparations. He said volunteers played a key role in pulling the chariot and ensuring devotees could participate in the ritual. “We help pull the rath throughout the procession. Along the route, devotees who wish to join in are also given an opportunity to pull the chariot,” he said.

As the procession made its way through the city, thousands of devotees walked alongside the chariots, filling the streets with devotional songs, chants and dance in a vibrant expression of faith. At the Jagannath Temple in Banjara Hills, devotees assembled to witness the deities being brought out in a grand ceremonial procession. The chariots were adorned with flowers and traditional motifs, and were pulled through the streets by devotees chanting hymns and devotional slogans.