Bhubaneswar, Jul 10 (IANS): At least 63 special trains will be run for pilgrims during the Rath Yatra, the annual nine-day chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, in Orissa's temple city of Puri, an official said Saturday.

"The special trains will run from different parts of Orissa, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. These exclude the existing trains coming to Puri," East Coast Railway Divisional Railway Manager Sanjeev Garg said.

Special trains will also run to and from Puri to clear the extra rush of pilgrims on the occasions of Sandhya Darshan (evening prayer), Bahuda Yatra (return journey) and Sunabesa (golden attire) of the deities, he said.

Besides, 14 trains have been diverted and extended to Puri.

Rath Yatra is spread over the summer and monsoon months in the temple city.

The chariot festival is held during the month of Ashadha (June-July) of the Indian calendar. This year the festival will be held from July 13-21.

The festival marks the annual journey of three deities from the 12th century Jagannath temple, 56 km from here, in three splendidly decorated wooden chariots.