Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel flags off Jagannath Yatra with prayers for good monsoon

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel flagged off the annual Jagannath Yatra ​on Sunday with prayers for a good monsoon as thousands of devotees thronged to seek the blessings of deities.

"The people of Gujarat give their blessings to all these people going for the Jagannath Yatra. I hope Lord Jagannath brings rain. Our blessings are with the devotees. May they prosper in life," said Patel.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure the security of the devotees.

The annual Rath Yatra is celebrated every year in Gujarat, setting off from the iconic temple which is nearly 400 years old, and traverses a 14 kilometre route in the city of Ahmedabad. The huge, colourfully decorated chariots are drawn by hundreds and thousands of devotees.