Ahmedabad: For the first time in the history of Ahmedabad’s auspicious Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour, marking a historic beginning to the 148th grand procession. The honour was presented by police personnel from the Gaekwad Haveli Police Station just before the traditional Pahind ritual, as the Lord’s chariot prepared to depart from the Nij Mandir. Police Inspector H.V. Dhandukiya confirmed that such a tribute had never been paid in any of the previous 147 Rath Yatras.
The Rath Yatra celebrations began at 4 AM, with thousands of devotees gathering to take part in the spiritual celebration. The day started with the Mangala Aarti performed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur along with his family. He also sought blessings from the saints and seers present at the temple.
The streets of Ahmedabad have been transformed into a vibrant spiritual corridor, as the procession feature decorated elephants, trucks showcasing scenes from Indian culture, martial arts performances by akhadas, devotional music by bhajan mandalis, and traditional bands. Over 2,500 saints and ascetics from pilgrimage sites like Haridwar, Ayodhya, Nashik, Ujjain, Jagannath Puri, and Saurashtra have joined the celebrations.
An extensive security arrangement is implemented to ensure the smooth conduct of the yatra. A force of 23,844 police personnel, 75 drones, and 3,500 CCTV cameras is deployed across the city. Special security forces including the RAF, CRPF, and BSF are stationed in sensitive areas like Dariyapur and Shahpur. Every neighborhood, street, and rooftop along the 18-kilometer route is under vigilant watch.
To make the event accessible to devotees around the world, the yatra is also being livestreamed on the official website: www.jagannathjiahd.org.