Ahmedabad: The city witnessed a grand religious celebration on Wednesday morning as the traditional Jal Yatra of Lord Jagannath was carried out with great devotion and enthusiasm. The ritual, held on the auspicious day of Jeth Sud Poonam, marks a significant event in the lead-up to the city’s 148th annual Rath Yatra, which is scheduled for June 27.
The Jal Yatra commenced from the historic Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur, where the deity was taken out in a grand procession. Accompanied by decorated elephants, vibrant musical bands, and hundreds of devotees waving flags and chanting hymns, the event reflected the deep-rooted cultural and religious fervor of the region. The idol of Lord Jagannath was ceremonially taken to the Sabarmati River to collect holy water, which is used in the Maha Jalabhishek ritual at the temple.
In a unique development this year, due to the accumulation of water hyacinth at the riverbank, the sacred water was collected from the middle of the Sabarmati using an air-conditioned cruise vessel. The head priest of the Jagannath Temple, Sant Dilipdas Maharaj, along with temple trustees and several political leaders, boarded the cruise to collect the water. Upon returning to the shore, an aarti was performed on the banks of the river, adding to the sanctity of the occasion.
Thousands of devotees participated in the Jal Yatra. The event featured 14 elephants, 108 traditional copper kalash, and 1008 women carrying water pots in a magnificent display of faith. The riverbank witnessed a ceremonial Pujan, followed by the collection of holy water in 108 pots, which were then brought back to the temple for the Maha Jalabhishek of Lord Jagannath. Religious leaders, saints, and dignitaries were present during the ceremony.
Adding to the grandeur were over ten bhajan mandalis performing devotional songs throughout the procession. Hundreds of devotees carried colorful flags, while others carried offerings for the deity in ornate silver staffs, umbrellas, and traditional kaawads filled with prasad.
As per tradition, after the Jal Yatra, deities of Lord Jagannath, along with his sister Subhadra and brother Balram, departs for his maternal uncle’s home in Saraspur. During this period, the temple in Jamalpur offers only symbolic darshan. Preparations are currently underway at the Ranchhodrai Temple in Saraspur, where the deities will reside for the next 15 days. The temple will host a series of cultural and devotional events during this time, drawing large crowds of devotees from across the city.
Speaking on the occasion, temple head priest Sant Dilipdas Maharaj noted the overwhelming devotion and participation of the people. Gujarat Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who also attended the event, emphasized the significance of the Rath Yatra for the state. He assured that all necessary arrangements are being made to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of the Rath Yatra on June 27, calling it a symbol of both “aastha (faith)” and “vyavastha (administration).”
With the successful completion of the Jal Yatra, the spiritual momentum now builds toward the main Rath Yatra, one of the most significant and widely celebrated religious events in Gujarat.