Hundreds Pull Chariot at Jagannatha Ratha Yatra in Kokapet
On Sunday, 19 July 2026, hundreds of devotees gathered in the Kokapet neighborhood of Hyderabad to celebrate the annual Jagannatha Ratha Yatra. Organised by the Hare Krishna Movement (HKM) Hyderabad, the religious event featured a grand procession with a decorated ceremonial chariot carrying the deities of Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra.
The chariot procession commenced at Trilight, located along the Golden Mile Layout Road. It then proceeded through the streets of Kokapet, passing through Rajapushpa Atria and Golden Mile Road. The yatra ultimately culminated at the Hare Krishna Heritage Tower in Narsingi.
Throughout the procession, devotees pulled the decorated chariot with enthusiasm. The Hare Krishna Movement stated in a press release that more than 500 devotees joined together to pull the chariot in unison. The massive gathering was supported by a team of dedicated volunteers and safety personnel to ensure the smooth movement of the procession.
As the chariot made its way through the local neighborhood, residents emerged from their homes to offer tokens of devotion. Along the route, people offered coconuts, flowers, fruits, and other sacred items to the deities. The entire procession was accompanied by lively sankirtans, devotional programmes, and the continuous distribution of prasadam to all participants.
The event concluded at the Hare Krishna Heritage Tower with further kirtans and a special pravachan. The spiritual discourse was delivered by Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa, who serves as the president of HKM Hyderabad and the regional president of The Akshaya Patra Foundation.
A number of prominent dignitaries and public officials attended the celebrations in Kokapet. The attendees included Justice Suddala Chalapathi Rao of the Telangana High Court, and Prakash Goud, the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing Rajendra Nagar. Also present at the event were Advocate General Sudarshan Reddy and TPCC spokesperson for Rajendranagar, Mungi Jaipal Reddy.
