Ahmedabad, July 16: The 149th world-renowned Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced today in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, filled with religious fervor, devotion, and tradition. Thousands of devotees gathered at the temple complex and along the procession route from early morning to witness the grand event and seek blessings from the deity. Home Minister Amit Shah, along with several leaders and ministers, also attended the event to pay their respects.
Before the Rath Yatra began, a traditional Mangala Aarti was held at the temple at 4 AM. On this auspicious occasion, Amit Shah visited the temple with his family, offering prayers to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. He participated in the Aarti, praying for the prosperity and peace of the nation and the state. Many saints, temple trust officials, and a large number of devotees were present.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also visited the temple in the morning to offer his prayers. Following this, he, along with Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi, performed the significant and traditional ritual known as ‘Pahind Vidhi.’ During this ceremony, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister symbolically cleaned the path of the chariot with a golden broom. This tradition conveys messages of social equality, service, and humility, and has been a major attraction of Ahmedabad’s Rath Yatra for years. After the Pahind Vidhi, the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra set off for a city tour.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi mentioned that the streets of Ahmedabad have been echoing with “Jai Jagannath” chants since around 2:30 AM. Devotees across various neighborhoods were busy preparing prasad and community meals for the devotees. He noted that special arrangements were made in every street and locality to welcome Lord Jagannath.
In terms of security, the administration has made unprecedented arrangements. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anup Singh Gehlot reported that approximately 31,000 police personnel, central security forces, and Rapid Action Force (RAF) members were deployed along the procession route. Over 3,700 CCTV cameras, 100 drones, 12 advanced control rooms, and AI-based monitoring systems were utilized along the 16-kilometer route. He urged devotees to follow police guidelines, avoid rumors, and assist the administration in ensuring a peaceful and successful event.
Before the Rath Yatra, Director General of Police G.S. Malik and Police Commissioner Anup Singh Gehlot inspected the temple complex and the procession route to assess security measures. Bomb disposal squads and dog units conducted thorough checks of the chariots and temple premises.
Joint Police Commissioner Neeraj Bargujar confirmed that the Mangala Aarti was completed peacefully, with a large number of devotees having darshan of the deity. He assured that the police force is fully alert and monitoring every phase of the procession.
The enthusiasm of the devotees was palpable. Many arrived at the temple complex as early as 3:30 AM. One devotee shared that visiting the Rath Yatra every year for darshan has been a long-standing family tradition. Another first-time visitor expressed feeling fortunate to witness Ahmedabad’s famous Rath Yatra with their family. A female devotee mentioned that this was her first opportunity to have darshan in such a manner, bringing her immense joy and spiritual peace.
BJP MP Mayank Nayak also extended his best wishes to the people of the state and the nation on the occasion of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra. He prayed for Lord Jagannath’s blessings to remain upon Gujarat and the entire country, guiding the nation in realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed India.
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