Ahmedabad: The 149th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Ahmedabad India’s second-largest such procession after the world-famous Puri Rath Yatra concluded on the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Beej amid grandeur, devotion, and festive fervour. Lord Jagannath, brother Balaram, and sister Subhadraji undertook the city procession as large crowds of devotees gathered for darshan, chanting “Jai Ranchhod, Makhanchor.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah participated in the Mangala Aarti at the Jagannath Temple on this sacred occasion and offered devotional darshan.
Bhupendra Patel Performs Pahind Ritual for Fifth Consecutive Time
On the occasion of Ashadhi Beej, ahead of flagging off the 149th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Ahmedabad, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed puja-archana of Lord Jagannath and his chariot within the temple premises. For the fifth consecutive time, Bhupendra Patel completed the Pahind ritual by sweeping the Lord’s chariot with a golden broom. He then participated in devotionally bringing the Lord’s main chariot out of the temple premises for the city procession.
Guard of Honour Presented to the Lord
At the commencement of the Rath Yatra, a Guard of Honour was presented to Lord Jagannath, and a Raas performance was held within the temple premises. The Yatra began from the Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur, where the chariots, adorned with grand decorations, were taken out in a procession. The devotion and enthusiasm of devotees were clearly visible in the crowds thronging the streets.
Message of a Clean Ahmedabad
Several decorated trucks became centres of attraction during the Yatra, carrying messages on social awareness, the America war, cleanliness, and other themes that drew public attention. To spread the message of cleanliness, the Solid Waste Management Department of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation set up tableaux and mascots of four coloured dustbins for public awareness.
Special arrangements were also made by the administration to provide relief to devotees from the July heat. The Fire and Emergency Department of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation carried out water sprinkling at regular intervals to keep the roads cool, with fine water sprays helping spread coolness in the atmosphere.
Chief Minister Conducted Real-Time Monitoring of the Yatra
The government left no stone unturned for the security of the Rath Yatra. After flagging off the Yatra for the city procession, the Chief Minister carried out real-time monitoring of the Yatra route from the video wall of the CM Dashboard in Gandhinagar. He obtained detailed information on the chariot’s location and the surveillance and safety arrangements being carried out by the police using AI and drone technology. For the ironclad security of the Rath Yatra, the entire route was divided into 26 ranges, 53 areas, and 1,397 points, with more than 30,000 police personnel deployed, including 10 IG/DIG, 42 DCP, and 88 ACP-rank officers, along with 15 SRPF and 9 Central Paramilitary Force companies.
A Glimpse of Communal Harmony
Social leaders took the initiative to ensure the entire Rath Yatra became a symbol of communal harmony. In the Dariyapur area, considered highly sensitive along the entire route, extraordinary enthusiasm was witnessed for the Lord’s darshan. Leaders of the Muslim community in Dariyapur welcomed the Lord’s chariot. Congress’s former MLA Gyasuddin Sheikh welcomed Mahant Dilipdas Maharaj of the Jagannath Temple by garlanding him and offering a shawl. Additionally, to convey a message of communal unity and peace, Mahant Dilipdasji and Muslim community leaders released pigeons together. During the Yatra, when the Azaan was being recited, the loudspeakers of the Rath Yatra were switched off as an initiative to maintain social harmony.
Home Minister and Police Chief Offer Darshan
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also arrived to partake in the Rath Yatra. He reached Prem Darwaza and walked from there to Dariyapur. The police department remained continuously engaged to ensure the Yatra proceeded joyfully, with the state police chief and police commissioner present at the Dariyapur Tambu Chowki to observe the procession. Rose water was sprinkled when the Yatra reached Dariyapur.
Lord’s Mameru Ceremony Held at Saraspur
The Yatra began from the Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur, with the chariots taken out in a grand procession amid visible devotion and enthusiasm among the crowds on the streets. After departing from the temple, all three chariots reached Saraspur Mosal, where, as per tradition, the grand Mameru ceremony of Lord Jagannath, Subhadraji, and Balabhadra was performed with devotion. Thousands of devotees gathered to witness this divine occasion. Following this, the chariots proceeded towards Shahpur, Delhi Darwaza, and Ghee Kanta, where thousands more devotees availed the opportunity for darshan.
Scuffle Reported Near Prem Darwaza
According to reports, around 40-plus emergency cases were recorded during the Rath Yatra. These included 41 cases involving first aid, fainting, stomach pain, road accidents, breathing difficulties, and dehydration. Meanwhile, a minor altercation occurred near Prem Darwaza, where reports indicated that a group of women caught and beat a young man. A scuffle over pulling the chariot was also reported at Ghee Kanta.
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