Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Gujarat Dy CM Sanghavi leads Maha Aarti, Netrotsav at Ahmedabad temple
Synopsis
Two days before Ahmedabad's 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra, Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi led the Maha Aarti and Netrotsav at the Jamalpur temple — a ritual marking the deities' return to public view after a 15-day seclusion. With over 31,000 police deployed and lakhs expected, the 147-year-old procession is shaping up as one of Gujarat's biggest religious moments of 2025.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi participated in Maha Aarti and Netrotsav ceremonies at Jagannath Temple, Ahmedabad on 14 July 2025 .
The 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra is scheduled for 16 July 2025 , beginning from the Jamalpur temple .
The Netrotsav followed the conclusion of the 15-day Anasar period , during which deities were kept from public view.
More than 31,000 police personnel have been deployed along the procession route, supported by drones and surveillance technology.
The Ahmedabad Rath Yatra has been organised since 1878 and is considered India's largest chariot festival after the Puri Rath Yatra .
The procession makes a traditional halt at Saraspur , regarded as the maternal home of Lord Jagannath.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Tuesday, 14 July participated in the sacred Maha Aarti and Netrotsav ceremonies at the historic Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad's Jamalpur area, as the city gears up for the 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra on 16 July 2025. The rituals mark a critical religious milestone in the countdown to one of India's largest chariot processions outside Puri.
Key Rituals Performed
Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi hoisted the temple flag, offered prayers before Lord Jagannath, and sought blessings for the well-being of Gujarat's people. Energy Minister and Ahmedabad district in-charge Rushikesh Patel was also present at the ceremonies.
The Netrotsav — literally the 'festival of eyes' — was performed following the conclusion of the 15-day Anasar period, during which the deities are kept away from public view after the ceremonial bathing festival. As part of the ritual, silk bands were traditionally tied over the eyes of the deities in the sanctum sanctorum during the 'Navayauvan Darshan', symbolising the Lord's return in renewed form. Devotees also witnessed the deities adorned in the traditional Sonavesh (golden attire).
Historical Significance of the Ahmedabad Rath Yatra
The Ahmedabad Rath Yatra, organised by the Jagannath Temple since 1878, is widely regarded as one of India's largest chariot festivals after the Puri Rath Yatra and stands as one of Gujarat's most significant annual religious events. The procession begins from the Jamalpur temple and winds through the old city before returning to the shrine, drawing lakhs of devotees each year.
A defining feature of the yatra is its traditional halt at Saraspur, regarded as the maternal home of Lord Jagannath, where devotees offer a ceremonial feast to the deities. The three wooden chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are pulled by members of the Khalasi community. The procession also features decorated elephants, akhadas, devotional music groups, tableaux, and sadhus from across the country.
Security and Crowd Management
Authorities have deployed more than 31,000 police personnel along the procession route, backed by drones, rooftop observation points, body-worn cameras, and technology-driven surveillance systems. Traffic restrictions and no-parking zones have been notified along the route as part of crowd management measures. Officials stated that elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure the 149th Rath Yatra is conducted peacefully and securely.
Dignitaries in Attendance
The temple ceremonies were attended by a large gathering of officials and civic leaders, including Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot, Deputy Mayor Anju Shah, Director General of Police G.S. Malik, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut, Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani, city Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Prerak Shah, Standing Committee Chairman Kamlesh Patel, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjeev Kumar, former Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, and Jagannath Temple Mahant Dilipdasji Maharaj, along with trustees, elected representatives, and a large number of devotees.
With the 149th edition set for 16 July, all eyes are now on what promises to be one of Ahmedabad's most-attended religious processions in recent years.
Point of View
And 2025 is no different. What deserves equal attention is the scale of the security apparatus: deploying over 31,000 personnel for a single procession underscores the logistical complexity of managing lakhs of devotees in a dense urban corridor. The Ahmedabad Rath Yatra's 147-year continuity is itself a civic achievement, but the real test each year is crowd safety — an area where past editions have occasionally faced scrutiny.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad?
The 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad is scheduled for 16 July 2025. The procession begins from the Jagannath Temple in the Jamalpur area and follows its traditional route through the old city before returning to the shrine.
What is the Netrotsav ceremony in the Jagannath Rath Yatra tradition?
Netrotsav, or the 'festival of eyes', is the ritual in which the deities' eyes are symbolically unveiled after the 15-day Anasar period — a period of seclusion following the ceremonial bathing festival. It marks the Lord's return to public view in a renewed form, celebrated as 'Navayauvan Darshan'.
How significant is the Ahmedabad Rath Yatra compared to Puri?
The Ahmedabad Rath Yatra, organised since 1878, is regarded as one of India's largest chariot festivals after the Puri Rath Yatra. It draws lakhs of devotees annually and is among Gujarat's most important religious events.
What security arrangements have been made for the 149th Rath Yatra?
Authorities have deployed more than 31,000 police personnel along the procession route, supported by drones, rooftop observation points, body-worn cameras, and surveillance technology. Traffic restrictions and no-parking zones have also been put in place for crowd management.
Who attended the Maha Aarti and Netrotsav at Ahmedabad's Jagannath Temple?
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and Energy Minister Rushikesh Patel led the attendance, joined by Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot, DGP G.S. Malik, Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut, Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani, former Deputy CM Nitin Patel, and Mahant Dilipdasji Maharaj, among other officials and devotees.
