THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JULY 15, 2026

As lakhs of devotees prepare to converge on the holy city of Puri for the annual Rath Yatra beginning July 16, Reliance, in collaboration with the Puri administration, has unveiled its comprehensive Puri Rath Yatra Seva Services 2026, a large-scale initiative designed to strengthen on-ground support for pilgrims, frontline personnel and civic authorities. Anchored in its 'WeCare' philosophy, the initiative combines Anna Seva, technology-enabled coordination, volunteer engagement, sanitation drives, public support infrastructure and community outreach to help ensure a safer, smoother and well-managed pilgrimage for millions of devotees.

The annual Rath Yatra, one of India's most revered spiritual festivals, witnesses the sacred procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, drawing devotees from across the country in a celebration of faith, devotion and tradition.

Recognising the enormous logistical effort required to manage one of the country's largest religious congregations, Reliance Foundation is extending comprehensive support to frontline agencies and public services responsible for the safety and well-being of pilgrims. The initiative seeks to reinforce on-ground coordination while enhancing nutrition, sanitation, safety and public convenience throughout the festival.

 “Service to Humanity is Service to God. This is something we deeply believe in. This year, building on our long-standing commitment to serve people especially at times like this where millions gather, we see an opportunity to offer service to people at Puri as truly a blessing. We believe that by serving pilgrims and personnel during Rath Yatra, we are serving the divine. We are committed to enhancing nutrition, safety and sanitation, to make not just journeys smoother but to also lend a helping hand to the administration,” said Anant M Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Industries Limited.

A major highlight of the initiative is Anna Seva, under which freshly prepared satvik meals and safe drinking water will be served to pilgrims and frontline personnel from July 15 to 27 through a central kitchen, including a dedicated serving facility at Bholanath High School on Grand Road, Puri. The programme aims to provide nutritious meals and hydration to thousands of devotees and service personnel throughout the festival.

Complementing the food service is the Tech for Seva – Puri Annaseva 2026 GIS Platform, a technology-driven solution that enables planning, monitoring, verification and documentation of seva activities while strengthening field coordination and operational decision-making across Puri.

To bolster public safety, Reliance Foundation is supporting the establishment of nearly 90 Police Aid Posts across more than 50 kilometres of key pilgrim routes, including temple-access areas, transit points, medical zones, major junctions and coastal locations. Around 1,000 police personnel on shift duty are expected to receive essential support such as drinking water, ORS, refreshments and other necessities during extended working hours.

Volunteer engagement forms another key pillar of the initiative, with volunteers assisting yatris through route guidance, safety support and dissemination of essential information. Sanitation efforts have also been strengthened through the distribution of garbage bags and protective gloves via the Puri Municipality to sanitation workers, volunteers and pilgrim-service organisations operating in high-footfall areas.

The initiative also includes health, hygiene and safety awareness programmes for pilgrims and the wider community, reinforcing public awareness while contributing to a cleaner and healthier festival environment. Together, these interventions are expected to facilitate the safe and orderly movement of over 20 lakh pilgrims during the Rath Yatra.

Reliance has been actively involved in community service during the Rath Yatra for several years, working closely with government authorities to support food distribution, clean drinking water, medical assistance and environmental cleanliness. The 2026 edition builds upon this legacy with expanded reach, technology-backed coordination and deeper engagement to serve pilgrims and frontline workers alike.

Through Puri Rath Yatra Seva Services 2026, Reliance continues its partnership with the Puri administration, frontline agencies, communities and institutions to strengthen public support infrastructure and create a safer, cleaner, more inclusive and well-coordinated pilgrimage experience for millions of devotees while reaffirming its commitment to service, compassion and community welfare.