Amit Shah to offer Mangala Aarti at Ahmedabad's 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra
Synopsis
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be at Ahmedabad's Shri Jagannath Temple at 3:15 am on 16 July for the Mangala Aarti — a personal tradition he has maintained for years — as the city prepares for its 149th Rath Yatra, the second-largest Jagannath procession in India after Puri, drawing lakhs of devotees through a nearly 400-year-old ceremonial route.
Key Takeaways
Amit Shah will attend the Mangala Aarti at 3:15 am on 16 July at the Shri Jagannath Temple , Jamalpur, Ahmedabad.
The occasion marks the start of Ahmedabad's 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra , held annually on Ashadhi Bij .
The Ahmedabad Rath Yatra is the second-largest in India after the one in Puri .
The temple from which the procession departs is nearly 400 years old .
Authorities have deployed drones and high-resolution CCTV cameras for security along the procession route.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will offer the Mangala Aarti at the historic Shri Jagannath Temple in the Jamalpur area of Ahmedabad at 3:15 am on 16 July, ahead of the city's 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The pre-dawn ritual marks the ceremonial start of one of Gujarat's largest and most revered annual religious processions.
About the Rath Yatra
The Jagannath Rath Yatra is held annually on Ashadhi Bij and originates from the nearly 400-year-old Shri Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur. The procession carries the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra through the city's traditional route before the deities are returned to the temple later in the day. The Ahmedabad Rath Yatra is widely regarded as the second-largest Jagannath Rath Yatra in India, after the one held in Puri.
Shah's Participation and Tradition
Minister Amit Shah has regularly attended the Mangala Aarti in previous years, continuing a long-standing personal tradition of offering prayers before the ceremonial departure of the chariots. His participation this year follows the same pattern, underscoring the significance the event holds both religiously and politically in Gujarat. The Mangala Aarti and other early morning rituals precede the ceremonial placing of the deities on the chariots, after which the procession formally commences from the Jamalpur temple.
Security and Civic Preparations
Authorities have put in place extensive security and crowd-management measures for this year's procession. Advanced surveillance infrastructure — including drones and high-resolution CCTV cameras — has been deployed along the procession route. Police and civic agencies have conducted route inspections and coordinated logistics to ensure the event proceeds without disruption. The Rath Yatra draws lakhs of devotees from across Gujarat and beyond every year, making crowd management a critical operational priority.
Significance for Ahmedabad
The Rath Yatra remains one of Ahmedabad's most significant annual religious and cultural events. This year's 149th edition is expected to attract large numbers of pilgrims and visitors, continuing a tradition that stretches back nearly four centuries at the Jamalpur temple. The event also carries civic weight, with the city's administration treating it as a major public-order and infrastructure exercise each year.
Point of View
Drawing lakhs of devotees, gives it outsized symbolic value for any senior leader from the state. What merits scrutiny is whether the scale of security mobilisation — drones, CCTV, route inspections — reflects genuine crowd-safety planning or has grown in proportion to VIP participation. The answer matters because the logistical burden ultimately falls on the city's civic machinery, not on the dignitaries who attend.
NationPress
15 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, held annually on Ashadhi Bij. The procession begins from the Shri Jagannath Temple in the Jamalpur area of the city.
What is the Mangala Aarti at the Shri Jagannath Temple?
The Mangala Aarti is a pre-dawn prayer ritual held at the Shri Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur before the ceremonial placing of the deities on the chariots. It marks the spiritual commencement of the Rath Yatra procession.
Why is the Ahmedabad Rath Yatra significant?
The Ahmedabad Jagannath Rath Yatra is considered the second-largest in India after the one in Puri. It originates from a nearly 400-year-old temple and draws lakhs of devotees from across Gujarat and beyond every year.
What security arrangements are in place for the 2025 Rath Yatra?
Authorities have deployed drones and high-resolution CCTV cameras along the procession route. Police and civic agencies have also conducted route inspections and coordinated crowd-management logistics ahead of the event.
Has Amit Shah attended the Mangala Aarti before?
Yes, Amit Shah has regularly participated in the Mangala Aarti at the Shri Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur ahead of the Rath Yatra in previous years, continuing a long-standing personal tradition of offering prayers before the procession begins.
