During the Rath Yatra of 2025 in Puri, as the sacred chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra progressed through the historic streets, the Adani Group embraced the solemn honour of serving the pilgrims by providing essential amenities, simple yet thoughtful support that quietly enhanced the journey for countless devotees, embodying the spirit of selfless service and collective harmony.

Working closely with local authorities, the Group helped facilitate temporary infrastructure that made the pilgrimage more manageable. Water stations provided relief under the blazing sun, while shaded rest zones offered comfort to weary travellers. Clean and well-maintained sanitation facilities, placed at regular intervals to ensure hygiene in the midst of dense crowds.

Guarding the Sacred Path

The Rath Yatra is rooted in tradition, but it also speaks to continuity, the passing of culture and faith through generations. This year, that continuity was strengthened with a forward-looking conscience. The Adani Group brought its sustainability ethos to Puri in ways that respected both the environment and the sanctity of the event.

Electric vehicles were deployed for logistics within the city, reducing emissions in crowded zones. Devotees were offered biodegradable offering kits, blending devotion with environmental awareness. Along the coastline, the Foundation partnered with the Puri Beach Lifeguard Mahasangha to launch extensive beach clean-up drives, addressing the pressing issue of plastic waste.

And for those working at the heart of the festival, the sanitation teams and volunteers, the Group provided fluorescent vests, raincoats, caps, jackets and umbrellas. These were not just essential safety; they were tokens of respect for those who, like the pullers of the chariots, quietly make the impossible possible.

A Moment of Service

On 28 Jun as the divine chariots arrived at the Gundicha Temple, the spiritual energy in Puri reached its peak. Among the lakhs gathered were, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, Dr Priti Adani- Adani Foundation, Chairperson and Karan Adani- MD Adani Ports and SEZ, immersed in prayer and in service.

That afternoon, the family joined volunteers at the ISKCON mega kitchen, preparing and serving food for thousands. Rolling puris, stirring cauldrons of prasad and working shoulder to shoulder with the kitchen staff. It wasn’t a performance. It was presence — rooted in the belief that leadership sometimes means taking a step back to serve.

Feeding the Faithful

From 26 Jun to 8 Jul, the Adani Foundation helped distribute nearly 40 lakh meals and beverages across Puri — a massive community meal initiative that fed not just the body, but the spirit. Pilgrims, workers, locals and officials alike found nourishment at food counters and cold drink stations thoughtfully placed across the city.

Alongside this, medical aid tents operated throughout the festival, staffed with first responders and volunteers to ensure safety amid the summer heat and dense crowds.

Like the sacred offering made before a deity, these acts of service were quiet affirmations of faith — in the divine and in humanity.

Guardians of the Shore

Anmol Arora, supervisor of the Jagannath Puri volunteers, shared a detailed account of their recent beach cleaning initiative in collaboration with the Adani Group. “We joined hands with the Adani Group at Jagannath Puri for a 10-day beach cleaning activity, where a team of 50 volunteers and 3 supervisors participated,” he said.

The cleanup ran daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, with the team putting in an average of eight hours each day, including breaks. “Volunteers reported by 9:30 AM, began work at 10 AM and wrapped up by 6 PM. Each volunteer was provided with garbage bags and gloves daily and wore volunteer T-shirts supplied by the company,” Mr Arora explained.

Focused on clearing plastic bottles, paper, cups and discarded clothes along the shoreline, the team collected all waste in a designated spot for easy disposal. “Over the course of the 10 days, a total of approximately 5,500 to 6,000 kg of garbage was collected, with each person averaging 18 to 20 kg per day. The total working hours clocked in by the team was around 2,400 hours.”

The Adani Group commends the dedication and teamwork of every volunteer, whose combined efforts made this ambitious project a success. This initiative stands as a powerful reminder that collective action and shared responsibility can shift the tides against environmental challenges.

Beyond the Yatra

The Adani Group’s contributions extend far beyond the Rath Yatra itself, encompassing a wide range of community development initiatives across multiple districts:

• Education Support: Enhancing infrastructure and quality education in government schools, providing digital learning tools and scholarships for rural students.
• Healthcare Outreach: Operating mobile health units in remote tribal villages and organising specialised health camps for women and children in underserved areas.
• Livelihood Empowerment: Running skill development programs focused on tailoring, farming and fisheries for youth and women, alongside promoting Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to boost women’s income generation.
• Tribal Upliftment: Supporting tribal-dominated districts like Dhamra and Rayagada with community-led development and cultural preservation efforts.
• Community Infrastructure: Developing sanitation facilities, solar street lighting, drinking water systems and renovating village schools and community centres.
• Sustainable Development: Supporting plantation drives under the “Green Odisha” campaign, along with water conservation projects such as pond rejuvenation and rainwater harvesting.
• Disaster Relief and Preparedness: Providing emergency supplies, shelter, and rehabilitation during cyclones and collaborating with local administrations for disaster readiness training.

This journey of seva reminds us that true devotion is lived through collective action and quiet dedication. The Chairman exemplified how service is a journey guided by humility and united purpose—an ideal truly reflected during Rath Yatra 2025.

With inputs from Poonam Advani.