Ahmedabad: Jagnnath Rath Yatra starts; CM Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi arrive

AHMEDABAD(Gujarat) : The Jagannath Yatra 2024 has started in Ahmedabad with fanfare and excitement on Sunday morning. Devotees gathered in large numbers.

Additionally, Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi also attended the Rath Yatra festival.Patel performed the ‘Pahind Vidhi’—the symbolic cleaning of the path for the chariot of Jagannath for the Rath Yatra.

Earlier today, ‘Mangla Aarti’ was performed by Union Minister Amit Shah, who was accompanied by his wife Sonal, at the temple.

#WATCH | Odisha: Security around Lord Jagannath temple in Puri increased ahead of the Rath Yatra which will commence today. pic.twitter.com/ExMFCNfAuu

— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2024

More than 15,000 police personnel have been deployed for the 147th edition of the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, which is taking place in Ahmedabad today and attracts lakhs of devotees.

“Today, the 147th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath will take place. Rehearsals have been done for this Rath Yatra by the police. More than 15,000 police personnel have been deployed. Technology like CCTV and drone surveillance will also be used. Arrangements have been made so that the devotees do not face any trouble,” said JCP Ahmedabad Police Neeraj Badgujar while giving the details of the Yatra.

#WATCH | Odisha: Two-day Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri to commence today. Along with lakhs of devotees, President Droupadi Murmu will also attend the annual festival. pic.twitter.com/7Q9WYQCJw5

— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2024

Yesterday, the three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra—Nandighosha, Darpadalana, and Taladhwaja—were brought to the Singh Dwara of Puri Srimandir ahead of the Yatra.

#WATCH | Ahmedabad: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, state Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi participate in Jagannath Rath Yatra, in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/JPLQNOYcbD

— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2024

The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is believed to be as old as the Jagannath Temple in Puri.The festival is celebrated with great fanfare from New Zealand to London and South Africa, encompassing the onward journey of the Holy Trinity to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha Devi’s Temple, and culminating with the return journey after eight days.

#WATCH | Gujarat: Jagannath Rath Yatra begins in Ahmedabad with much fanfare. Devotees gather in large numbers. pic.twitter.com/b8L3osn9Mq

— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2024

In reality, the festival stretches from the day of Akshaya Tritiya and culminates with the return of the journey of the Holy Trinity to the Shree Mandir premises. (ANI)