Wayne NJ Temple Hosts Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026

The India Cultural Society of New Jersey, in partnership with the Odisha Society of New Jersey and New York, held the Sri Jagannath Ratha Yatra on a Saturday in July. Devotees pulled a 35-foot wooden chariot carrying idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra through the streets of Wayne.

Organizers said the procession started at the India Cultural Society temple and wound through a one-mile route lined with spectators. Participants chanted hymns and offered prayers as the chariot moved slowly, stopping at designated points for rituals.

The event included cultural performances, free vegetarian meals, and a fair with stalls selling traditional crafts and snacks. Volunteers from both societies managed logistics, including traffic control and first aid stations.

The annual festival, which began in 2005, has grown steadily. This year's edition attracted attendees from across the tri-state area, with many families arriving early to secure spots along the route.