Jagannath Rath Yatra – Ahmedabad’s 149th Rath Yatra Begins with Traditional Temple Rituals

Jagannath Rath Yatra -Gujarat’s annual Jagannath Rath Yatra commenced on Thursday with centuries-old rituals at the historic Shree Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad, drawing thousands of devotees to witness the beginning of one of the state’s most significant religious events.

Chief Minister Performs Traditional Ceremony

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel formally inaugurated the 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra by performing the revered Pahand Vidhi at the historic Shree Jagannath Mandir located in Ahmedabad’s Jamalpur area. As part of the long-standing custom, he used a golden broom to symbolically sweep the route ahead of the chariots. The ritual represents humility, devotion, and selfless service before Lord Jagannath and is observed every year before the grand procession begins.

Sacred Procession Begins from Historic Temple

Following the completion of the ceremonial rituals, the three chariots carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra departed from the nearly 400-year-old temple. The annual procession, organised on the occasion of Ashadhi Bij, follows its traditional 16.2-kilometre route across Ahmedabad before returning to the temple later in the day. Large crowds gathered from the early morning hours to witness the departure of the chariots and seek blessings.

Amit Shah Offers Morning Prayers

Before the procession started, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah visited the temple to participate in the Mangala Aarti. He offered prayers to the deities before their ceremonial placement on the decorated chariots. His visit formed part of the religious observances that traditionally take place before the Rath Yatra sets out through the city.

One of India’s Largest Religious Gatherings

The Ahmedabad Jagannath Rath Yatra is widely recognised as the second-largest celebration of its kind in India after the famous procession in Puri. Every year, the event attracts lakhs of devotees from Gujarat and different parts of the country. This year’s procession features three beautifully decorated chariots, 18 elephants, numerous akhadas, devotional music groups, and colourful cultural tableaux, reflecting the region’s rich spiritual and cultural traditions.

Comprehensive Security Arrangements in Place

Authorities have implemented extensive security measures to ensure the peaceful conduct of the event. More than 31,000 police and security personnel have been deployed along the entire procession route. The security plan includes artificial intelligence-powered surveillance, facial recognition systems, drones, high-definition CCTV cameras, and body-worn cameras, enabling officials to monitor the yatra continuously and respond quickly to any situation.

Civic Services Strengthened for Devotees

Along with security preparations, civic authorities have made detailed arrangements to support the large number of visitors expected throughout the day. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, in coordination with various government agencies, has ensured the availability of drinking water, sanitation facilities, medical assistance, emergency response teams, and effective traffic management. Officials have also introduced GPS trackers, movement sensors, and dedicated elephant monitoring systems to improve safety during the procession, particularly after incidents involving elephants during last year’s event. A multi-layered security network remains active across the route to facilitate the smooth and safe completion of the annual religious procession.