Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel flags off two Jagannath Rath Yatras on Ashadhi Bij
Synopsis
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel marked Ashadhi Bij by participating in two Jagannath Rath Yatras on 16 July — flagging off Adalaj temple's fifth procession and inaugurating SGVP Gurukul's 19th, which this year also celebrates the 125th birth anniversary of Param Pujya Shastri Maharaj Shri Dharmajivandas Swami and the Gurukul's golden jubilee.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel participated in two Jagannath Rath Yatra processions on 16 July on the occasion of Ashadhi Bij .
He flagged off the fifth Rath Yatra of the Jagannath Temple at Adalaj , performing the traditional Pahind Vidhi with a golden broom.
He later inaugurated the 19th Rath Yatra at SGVP Gurukul, Memnagar , which covered an approximately seven-kilometre route .
The SGVP Gurukul procession marked the 125th birth anniversary of Shastri Maharaj Shri Dharmajivandas Swami and the Gurukul's golden jubilee year .
Dignitaries including Gandhinagar Mayor Mira Patel and Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot were present at the respective events.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday, 16 July participated in two separate Jagannath Rath Yatra processions across Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar district on the occasion of Ashadhi Bij, flagging off the fifth Rath Yatra at the Jagannath Temple in Adalaj and later inaugurating the 19th Rath Yatra organised by SGVP Gurukul in Memnagar. The events formed part of wider Ashadhi Bij celebrations held across Gujarat.
Pahind Vidhi and Prayers at Adalaj
At the Jagannath Temple in Adalaj, Chief Minister Patel performed the traditional Pahind Vidhi — a ceremonial sweeping ritual — using a golden broom in accordance with Vedic customs before formally flagging off the temple's fifth Rath Yatra. He also offered the Mangala Aarti to Lord Jagannath, and was welcomed by the temple administration with a floral garland and a traditional turban.
Large numbers of devotees had gathered from early morning to offer prayers to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, with chants of 'Jai Jagannath' filling the temple premises. The Adalaj Rath Yatra is organised by the Shri Jagannath Cultural Academy and Research Centre and follows a route passing through Shani Temple, Uvarsad Bridge, and Adalaj Circle before returning to the temple in the evening.
Among the dignitaries present were Gandhinagar Mayor Mira Patel, former Rajya Sabha member Narhari Amin, former civil servants, political and social leaders, and members of Gujarat's Odia community.
19th Rath Yatra at SGVP Gurukul, Memnagar
Later in the day, Chief Minister Patel travelled to SGVP Gurukul in Memnagar, where he flagged off the institution's 19th Jagannath Rath Yatra. He offered prayers before the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, performed the Maha Aarti in keeping with Vedic rituals, and formally inaugurated the procession in the presence of saints and dignitaries.
According to officials, Patel prayed for the happiness, peace, and prosperity of the people before flagging off the three chariots. The procession covered an approximately seven-kilometre route through Memnagar and surrounding areas before returning to the Gurukul campus in the evening.
Special Significance of This Year's Procession
The SGVP Gurukul Rath Yatra this year carried added significance, forming part of celebrations marking the 125th birth anniversary of Param Pujya Shastri Maharaj Shri Dharmajivandas Swami and the golden jubilee year of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul, Memnagar. The chariots were decorated with spiritually themed tableaux.
Among those present at the Memnagar flag-off were Sadguru Purani Balakrishnadas Swami, city president Prerak Shah, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Water Supply Committee chairman Dharamshi Desai, Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot, local councillors, saints, and a large gathering of devotees.
Part of Gujarat's Broader Ashadhi Bij Celebrations
The two processions are among several Jagannath Rath Yatras organised across Gujarat on Ashadhi Bij, alongside the state's main annual procession from the historic Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad. The occasion holds deep religious significance for the Odia community and devotees of Lord Jagannath across the state. With the Chief Minister's participation in multiple processions, the events underscored the cultural and political importance attached to the festival in Gujarat.
Point of View
Giving the government a ready platform to associate itself with an established religious-educational legacy.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Jagannath Rath Yatras did Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel attend on Ashadhi Bij?
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attended two Rath Yatras on 16 July: the fifth Rath Yatra at the Jagannath Temple in Adalaj, Gandhinagar district, and the 19th Rath Yatra organised by SGVP Gurukul in Memnagar, Ahmedabad. He performed rituals and flagged off the processions at both venues.
What is the Pahind Vidhi performed by the Gujarat CM?
The Pahind Vidhi is a traditional ceremonial ritual in which the devotee sweeps the path before the chariot using a golden broom, symbolising humility before the deity. Chief Minister Patel performed this Vedic ritual at the Jagannath Temple in Adalaj before flagging off the fifth Rath Yatra.
What is the significance of the SGVP Gurukul Rath Yatra this year?
The 19th SGVP Gurukul Rath Yatra in Memnagar this year carries special significance as it coincides with the 125th birth anniversary of Param Pujya Shastri Maharaj Shri Dharmajivandas Swami and the golden jubilee year of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul, Memnagar. The chariots were decorated with spiritually themed tableaux for the occasion.
What route did the Adalaj Jagannath Rath Yatra follow?
The Adalaj Rath Yatra, organised by the Shri Jagannath Cultural Academy and Research Centre, follows a route from the Jagannath Temple through Shani Temple, Uvarsad Bridge, and Adalaj Circle before returning to the temple in the evening.
What is Ashadhi Bij and why are Rath Yatras held on this day?
Ashadhi Bij is a significant day in the Hindu calendar, marking the second day of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashadh. It is traditionally associated with the Jagannath Rath Yatra festival, during which the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are taken out in procession. In Gujarat, multiple Rath Yatras are organised across the state on this occasion alongside the main annual procession from Ahmedabad's historic Jagannath Temple.
