In Puri and Ahmedabad, devotees flock to be part of annual Jagannath Yatra
In Puri and Ahmedabad, devotees flock to be part of annual Jagannath Yatra
The 141st Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced this morning in Puri, Odisha and Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The Rath Yatra is taken out every year on Ashadhi Bij, the second day of Ashad month, as per the Hindu calendar.
According to mythology, the Ratha Yatra dates back some 5,000 years when Hindu god Krishna, along with his older brother Balaram and sister Subhadra, were pulled on a chariot from Kurukshetra to Vrindavana by Krishna's devotees.
Lakhs of devotees descended in Puri to accompany Lord Krishna and his siblings for a visit to their aunt at the Gundicha Temple.
Here's a look at the processions that took place at two corners of India.
Chariots get ready for the yatra
Devotees arrive to see the 141st Rath Yatra, in Puri on Saturday, July 14, 2018. (PTI Photo)
Chariots away
Chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra during the final leg of preparation ahead of Rath Yatra festival, in Puri on Friday, July 13, 2018. (PTI Photo)
Balabhadra gets ready
Devotees throng around the icon of Balabhadra, brother of Jagannath, is brought out from the Jagannath temple during the annual Hindu festival Rath Yatra or chariot procession in Puri on July 14, 2018. (AFP Photo/Asit Kumar)
Procession in full swing in Puri
Devotees gather around chariots as they wait to pull them during the annual Hindu festival Rath Yatra or chariot procession in Puri on July 14, 2018. (AFP Photo/Asit Kumar)
Devotees pull the chariots in Puri
Devotees pull the chariots during the 141st Rath Yatra, in Puri on Saturday, July 14, 2018. (PTI Photo)
Devotees flock to streets for Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad
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 before the processions began. (Pravin Indrekar Photo)
PM Narendra Modi extended wishes
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. (Pravin Indrekar Photo)
Procession will cover most of Ahmedabad
Before the annual Rath Yatra started, BJP president Amit Shah performed mangla aarti of the deities in the temple during the early hours. The procession will come back to the temple at 8.30 pm on Saturday after passing through the Old City, including some communally sensitive areas like Jamalpur, Kalupur, Shahpur and Dariyapur. (Pravin Indrekar Photo)