Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel kicked off the 145th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in the capital city of Ahmedabad. In accordance with tradition, the Chief Minister performed the ‘Pahind Vidhi’ ritual, using a golden broom to clean the way for the chariots. This is the first time Patel has flagged off the Rath Yatra since taking office. The occasion was marked by tight security, as thousands of devotees congregated to witness the festive procession.
Patel also performed the traditional Pahind ritual of Ashadhi Beej Rath Yatra, cleansing the chariot with the gold broom. The Chief Minister wished everyone a blessed and prosperous Rath Yatra.
State Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi and Industries Minister Jagdish Vishwakarma were among those who participated in the ceremony. Security arrangements were made by the Gujarat Police, with around 25,000 personnel positioned along the route of the Rath Yatra to ensure safety.
The festival celebrates Lord Jagannath and is considered the second biggest Rath Yatra in India after the Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha. The Yatra is associated with Lord Jagannath at Shri Kshetra Puri Dham and is celebrated during the Ashadha month of the Hindu calendar. This year’s Rath Yatra took place on June 20.
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is visiting Gujarat, participated in the ‘Mangla Aarti’ at Jagannath temple before the Rath Yatra began. The Rath Yatra has a deep spiritual significance in Hinduism and is depicted in several Hindu scriptures including Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana, and Kapila Samhita.
