Ahmedabad: On the day of Ashadhi Beej (July 16), Lord Jagannath, along with his sister Subhadraji and brother Balabhadraji, will set out on chariots for the city procession. Ahead of Ahmedabad’s 149th Rath Yatra, Saraspur traditionally regarded as Lord Jagannath’s maternal abode has already been steeped in a devotional atmosphere. Kitchens across most of the streets and pols (traditional housing clusters) in the area are in full swing, with thousands of kilos of mohanthal and fulwadi prepared today (July 15) alone.
A meal made with devotion for sadhus, saints and lakhs of devotees
It has long been a tradition at Lord Jagannath’s maternal abode in Saraspur for local residents to feed the sadhus and saints accompanying the Rath Yatra, along with lakhs of devotees and the police personnel deployed for security, with great warmth and care. For this seva, young and elderly residents of the pols and streets have been working around the clock for the past several days, immersed in preparations.
Food preparations enter final stretch
Cooking arrangements at the maternal abode have now reached their final stage. Kitchens in every pol and society have prepared thousands of kilos of pure ghee mohanthal, along with freshly made fulwadi. From early morning tomorrow, on Ashadhi Beej, preparations will begin for potato sabzi, mixed vegetables, hot puris, and dal-bhat, so that devotees arriving at the maternal abode can be served warm, freshly made prasad.
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Chants of “Jay Jagannath” are currently echoing through every pol in Saraspur. On the day of the Rath Yatra, lakhs of people are expected to partake in the prasad here, and residents of the maternal abode are at the peak of their enthusiasm as they prepare to welcome them.