Rath Yatra – Young Artist’s Elephant Paintings Add Color to Ahmedabad’s Sacred Procession
Rath Yatra –Ahmedabad witnessed an extraordinary blend of devotion, tradition and artistic expression on Thursday as the city’s 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra attracted lakhs of devotees. Among the many attractions of the grand procession, the beautifully hand-painted ceremonial elephants reflected the dedication of 21-year-old artist Zarna Panchal, who has quietly contributed her creativity to the annual festival through years of selfless service at the historic Jagannath Temple.
A Unique Form of Devotion Through Art
As the decorated chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balram and Goddess Subhadra moved along the traditional route across Ahmedabad’s old city, Panchal’s intricate artwork enhanced the appearance of several ceremonial elephants accompanying the procession. A Fine Arts graduate from C.N. Fine Arts College, she has been serving at the Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur for the past four years as a sevak, combining her artistic education with religious devotion.
Speaking about her journey, Panchal explained that she initially participated by preparing flower garlands and creating rangoli decorations. Over time, she developed a desire to contribute through painting after watching other artists decorate the elephants, believing it would be a meaningful way to offer her skills in service of Lord Jagannath.
Building Trust With the Elephants
Although trained in painting and sketching, Panchal said working on elephants presented challenges that no classroom could prepare her for. According to her, creating artwork on paper depends largely on the artist’s creativity, whereas painting on elephants requires patience and an understanding of each animal’s temperament.
She recalled that the elephants were initially restless during the painting process. With regular interaction, however, they gradually became familiar with her presence. Panchal said she now spends time calming and engaging with them before beginning her work, making the experience more comfortable for both the animals and the artists.
Experience Replaces Fear
Panchal admitted that approaching elephants was intimidating when she first began her seva. Daily interaction slowly replaced fear with confidence, and she now shares a close bond with the animals. She believes they recognize her voice and respond warmly during the preparation period, describing them as being like members of her own family.
Over the years, she estimates that she has contributed to decorating several elephants. This year, she completed artwork on one elephant independently while assisting with paintings on two others.
Designs Inspired by Festival Traditions
Preparations for the elephant artwork begin weeks before Rath Yatra. Panchal said planning starts nearly a month in advance alongside religious activities leading up to the Jal Yatra. Her designs remain closely connected with the spiritual significance of the festival, featuring images associated with Lord Jagannath, the ceremonial chariots and traditional motifs including lotuses and peacocks.
Bright shades such as red, yellow and green dominate the designs. Artists first prepare white outlines before carefully filling each section with vibrant colors to create detailed decorative patterns.
Seva Remains Her Priority
Despite becoming a familiar face at the temple, Panchal said she has never worked with the expectation of public recognition. She emphasized that everyone serving at the temple considers themselves sevaks rather than volunteers, viewing their contribution as an act of devotion rather than service for appreciation.
Balancing her professional responsibilities with temple activities requires careful planning. Alongside her work as an artist, designer and AI journalist, she regularly visits the temple in the evenings and spends weekends participating in preparations connected with the annual festival.
Appeal for Respect Toward Animals
Drawing from years of close interaction, Panchal said understanding elephant behavior comes only through spending time with them. She explained that their expressions, movements and sounds often indicate whether they are calm, happy or uncomfortable.
She also appealed to devotees to remain mindful of the animals during the procession. Since thousands of people gather around the elephants throughout the day, she noted that they can become tired or irritated. Panchal encouraged everyone to follow the guidance of mahouts to ensure the safety of both people and animals.
Extensive Security Arrangements for the Procession
The 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra began from the Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur after traditional rituals before following its customary route through Ahmedabad and returning later in the day. The annual celebration is among Gujarat’s largest religious events and drew devotees from across the state.
Authorities implemented comprehensive security measures for the procession by deploying more than 31,000 police personnel. Surveillance included drones, AI-enabled monitoring, facial recognition technology and a centralized command system. In a first for the event, all 18 ceremonial elephants were equipped with GPS trackers, sound-monitoring devices and movement sensors under the Gaj Rakshak monitoring system to strengthen public safety and support animal welfare. Police also advised devotees to remain alert in crowded areas, keep children close and avoid sharing unverified information on social media.