The 141st Rath Yatra started from the Jagannath temple in Jamalpur area amid tight security on Saturday morning.
The 141st Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath began this morning in Ahmedabad amid tight security as lakhs of devotees flocked to the 18km route to catch a glimpse of the deity. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel performed 'Pahind Vidhi' - a symbolic ritual of cleaning the way for the chariots using a golden broom.
The chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra, then embarked on the yatra from the 400- year-old Jagannath Temple in the Jamalpur area.
Besides the three chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balram and sister Subhadra, this year's yatra has 18 elephants, 101 trucks, 30 Akhadas, 3 Rass Mandals, 18 Bhajan Mandals. Rath Yatra procession also comprised members of 30 religious groups and 18 singing troupes.
The Rath Yatra is taken out every year on Ashadhi Bij, the second day of Ashad month, as per the Hindu calender.
The procession will come back to the temple at 8.30 pm today after passing through the Old City, including some communally sensitive areas like Jamalpur, Kalupur, Shahpur and Dariyapur.
PM Modi greets people, Amit Shah performs 'aarti'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion and hoped Lord Jagannath's blessings will help the country scale new heights of development.
"Greetings on the auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, may our country scale new heights of growth. May every Indian be happy and prosperous. Jai Jagannath!" the PM tweeted.
Before the annual Rath Yatra started, BJP president Amit Shah performed "mangal aarti" (auspicious ritual to pay obeisance to Lord) of the deities in the temple during the early hours.
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent traditional offerings to the Lord Jagannath temple on the eve of the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra.
Modi has been sending offerings to the temple ahead of the Rath Yatra for the last many years.
Also Read: Rath Yatra 2018: All you need to know about tithi, timings and celebrations
"As always, the PM has kept his commitment and sent sprouted moong, jamun, pomegranate and mangoes, which will be offered to Lord Jagannath," said the head priest of the temple, Dilipdasjee Maharaj.
According to temple trustee Mahendra Jha, Modi had stayed in the temple for a brief period during his early days.
"Since he (Modi) stayed here during his early life, when he was not a known figure, Modi is attached to the temple," he said. Sprouted green gram and jamun are traditionally offered to Lord Jagannath during the chariot procession.
Rath Yatra amid tight security
Heavy police force has been deployed for the security of the Rath Yatra. The procession is expected to stretch up to 1.5 km and cover around 15 km on road before returning to the Jagannath temple in Jamalpur.
Over 20,000 cops have been deployed in the bandobast to ensure that the yatra is peaceful. City commissioner AK Singh, three Special Commissioner, five IG and DIG-level officers, 31 Superintendents of Police, 88 Assistant Police Commissioners, 253 Police inspectors, 819 Sub-inspectors, 14270 Constables and 5400 home guards have been put on duty to ensure peaceful yatra.
Apart from that, 22 companies of SRP, 25 companies of Paramilitary force, one team to Chetak Commando, 30 Quick Responses Team and 10 teams of Bomb Squad will be present.
(With PTI inputs)
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 "Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad on Saturday, DNA")
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