Puri Rath Yatra's chariot wheels to be placed at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The annual Rath Yatra in Puri is a significant event for many Hindus, and its importance has been recognized by the President of India. In a meeting at Lok Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, the chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, Arabinda Padhee, proposed the installation of the three chariots' wheels at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The proposal was met with enthusiasm by President Droupadi Murmu, who agreed to make the installation happen.

According to Padhee, this is a moment of pride for all of Odisha. The wheels of Lord Jagannath's 'Nandighosh', Lord Balabhadra's 'Taladhwaja', and Goddess Subhadra's 'Darpadalan' chariots will be sent to New Delhi and installed at Rashtrapati Bhavan as a symbol of the state's rich cultural and spiritual heritage. It is customary for the chariots used in the Rath Yatra to be dismantled after the festival.

While some parts are used in the temple's kitchen, the more significant components are auctioned off to devotees. Every year, new chariots are built for the festival using fresh timber. This is not the first time that Odisha's heritage has been showcased at the presidential estate.

In 2024, four sandstone replicas of the famous Konark wheels were installed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre and Amrit Udyan. These wheels, intricately carved and a symbol of India's architectural and cultural heritage, were modeled after the ones found at the Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Odisha. The wheels of the three chariots used in the annual Rath Yatra will now join the prestigious display at Rashtrapati Bhavan, representing the state's cultural and spiritual legacy.

This is a proud moment for all the people of Odisha, and it is a testament to the significance of the Rath Yatra in India's diverse and rich heritage.