Odisha heavy rain disrupts Puri Rath Yatra’s Dakshina Moda ritual

Meteorologists warned that a cyclonic circulation could develop into a low‑pressure system over Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand and the Bay of Bengal between July 22 and July 25. Senior meteorologist Sarat Sahu said, “Rainfall will increase across the state from July 22 through July 25,” with some districts already recording up to 100 mm of rain and the Regional Meteorological Centre issuing yellow warnings.

The heavy downpours caused water‑logging near the Gundicha Temple in Puri, forcing authorities to temporarily suspend the “Dakshina Moda” (southward turn) ritual of the Rath Yatra chariots. SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee said the turning of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot was halted mid‑process and the turn of Lord Jagannath’s chariot postponed, with both expected to be completed on Wednesday. The delay pushes back preparations for the Bahuda Yatra, the scheduled return journey set for July 24.