As millions of devotees prepare to attend the Puri Rath Yatra 2026, India’s leading telecom operators have announced special initiatives to improve connectivity and digital access during the annual festival.
Bharti Airtel has completed a major network upgrade across Odisha by deploying more than 1,500 new 5G sites, while Vodafone Idea (Vi) is bringing the celebrations to customers nationwide through a free live streaming service on Vi Movies & TV.
Both initiatives aim to enhance the experience for devotees, whether they are attending the festival in person or following the rituals remotely.
Airtel Expands Odisha 5G Network
As part of its Airtel Odisha 5G expansion, the telecom operator has strengthened network coverage across Puri and major travel corridors leading to the holy city.
The company said it has upgraded mobile infrastructure along highways, railway routes, transport hubs, and key pilgrimage locations to manage the expected increase in voice calls and mobile data usage during the festival.
Over the last year, Airtel has deployed more than 1,500 new 5G sites across all 30 districts of Odisha, improving connectivity for more than 11 million customers in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas.
Airtel Network Expansion at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| New 5G Sites | 1,500+ |
| Coverage | All 30 districts of Odisha |
| Customers Benefited | Over 11 million |
| Special Focus | Puri and key travel corridors |
| Unlimited Plan Starts At | ₹399 |
According to Airtel, the enhanced infrastructure is designed to provide uninterrupted voice services and faster mobile internet during one of India’s largest religious gatherings.
Airtel Launches Unlimited 4G and 5G Plans
Alongside the network expansion, Airtel has introduced fully unlimited prepaid plans starting at ₹399 for customers in Odisha.
The plans include:
- Unlimited 4G and 5G data
- Unlimited voice calling
- No daily high-speed data limits
The company said these plans are intended to help users stream videos, navigate, communicate with family, and stay connected throughout the festival without worrying about daily data restrictions.
Vodafone Idea Brings Live Rath Yatra to Smartphones
While Airtel is focusing on network reliability, Vodafone Idea live Rath Yatra coverage allows customers across India to watch the festival from anywhere.
Vi customers can access a 24×7 live telecast of the 12-day Rath Yatra through Vi Movies & TV at no additional cost.
The service includes live coverage of several important rituals, including:
- Rath Yatra
- Gundicha Yatra
- Bahuda Yatra
- Suna Besha
- Adhar Pana
- Niladri Bije
The live streaming initiative is available through a partnership with ShemarooMe, bringing devotional programming directly to mobile devices.
Vi Movies & TV Adds Special Devotional Content
Apart from live coverage, Vi Movies & TV live darshan also includes a dedicated devotional channel featuring cultural and historical content throughout the festival.
Subscribers can watch documentaries covering:
- The making of the Rathas
- The history of the Jagannath Temple
- Traditional rituals of Rath Yatra
- Interviews with Daityapatis, Pandas, and Rath Shilpis
- Stories exploring Odisha’s cultural heritage
The platform currently aggregates content from more than 20 OTT services, giving users access to entertainment, sports, devotional programming, and regional content through a single application.
Telecom Operators Focus on Customer Experience
The announcements from Airtel and Vodafone Idea highlight how telecom operators are increasingly supporting large public events through both network investments and digital services.
While Airtel is ensuring reliable connectivity for pilgrims travelling to Puri, Vodafone Idea is enabling millions of devotees who cannot visit the temple to participate virtually through live streaming.
These initiatives reflect the growing role of telecom companies in delivering both connectivity and digital experiences during major national events.
Ahead of Puri Rath Yatra 2026, Airtel and Vodafone Idea have introduced complementary initiatives aimed at improving the festival experience for millions of devotees. Airtel’s deployment of over 1,500 new 5G sites across Odisha is expected to deliver better network performance during peak crowds, while Vodafone Idea’s free live darshan on Vi Movies & TV allows customers across India to watch every major ritual from their smartphones. Together, these efforts showcase how telecom operators are combining infrastructure upgrades with digital services to enhance customer engagement during one of India’s largest religious celebrations.
For the latest tech news, follow TelecomByte on X, Facebook and Google News.
Lingraj Sahu
Lingraj is one of the youngest members of TelecomByte, and a recent tech geek convert. When he's not churning out articles, you’ll find him watching sports, exploring new places, and listening to music.