The 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra commenced from the historic Shree Jagannath Mandir in Ahmedabad's Jamalpur on Thursday, 16 July, with lakhs of devotees thronging the streets in the early hours to witness one of Gujarat's largest and most celebrated religious processions. The chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra departed the temple premises amid a festive atmosphere lit up by decorative illuminations and the chants of 'Jai Jagannath'.

Rituals and Key Ceremonies

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah performed the Mangala Aarti and offered prayers at the temple ahead of the procession's departure. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel carried out the traditional Pahind Vidhi — ceremonially sweeping the path before the chariots using a golden broom — marking the formal commencement of the yatra. Devotees had begun arriving well before dawn for prayers, with the temple premises buzzing with activity through the night.

What Deputy CM Sanghavi Said

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi confirmed that all preparations had been completed ahead of the procession's start. 'Preparations for the 149th Rath Yatra have been completed. It is around 2:30 a.m., and as you can see, the streets of Ahmedabad are still filled with thousands of youths and elderly people chanting 'Jai Jagannath'. Preparations are underway in every lane to serve prasadi to Lord Jagannath's devotees,' he said.

Security Arrangements

This year's yatra is being conducted under one of the most extensive security frameworks in its history. More than 31,000 police personnel have been deployed across the city, supplemented by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and other security agencies. The surveillance network includes drones, CCTV cameras, and artificial intelligence-enabled monitoring systems along the entire procession route. Authorities confirmed the event passed off peacefully.

Devotee Voices

The procession drew first-time visitors alongside annual regulars. One devotee said, 'I have come here for the first time to witness the Rath Yatra. My family, Laddu Gopal, and I have all come for the darshan.' Another added, 'I felt immense joy. Today, for the first time, I had the opportunity to have the darshan of Lord Jagannath in this way.' A regular attendee noted, 'We have been here since 3:30 a.m. We come here every year in the morning for the Rath Yatra.'

Significance and Scale

Held annually on Ashadhi Bij, the Ahmedabad Rath Yatra is regarded as the second-largest Jagannath Rath Yatra in India after the one held in Puri, Odisha. The procession follows its traditional route through the city before returning to the Shree Jagannath Mandir later in the day, drawing lakhs of devotees from across Gujarat and the rest of the country. The 149th edition underscores the yatra's enduring cultural and religious significance in western India.