Fervor marks ISKCON’s first ever Jagannath Rath Yatra in Tirupati

Devotees pull a chariot containing the deities of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Baladeva and Subhadra Devi on Annamayya Road in Tirupati on Monday. | Photo credit: KV POORNACHANDRA KUMAR

For the first time ever, the Tirupati chapter of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) led the ‘Jagannath Rath Yatra’ which drew huge crowds from nearby villages on Monday (July 20, 2026).

The chariot carrying the deities of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Baladev and Subhadra Devi started from the PLR ​​Convention Hall on Annamayya Marg, went to MR Palle Circle and turned back to reach the starting point. This is also the first time a large religious procession has been held on the sprawling south side of the city.

Chanting ‘Hari Nama Sankeertan’, devotees merrily pulled the chariot while police regulated traffic during the procession. While members of the ISKCON order played traditional drums and cymbals, devotees danced in spiritual ecstasy. ISKCON Tirupati President Sri Revatiraman Das led the procession.

Published – 20 July 2026 20:30 IST