The 148th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced in Ahmedabad on Friday morning with an overwhelming turnout of thousands of devotees eager for a glimpse of the revered deity.
The sacred procession began from the historic Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur, as per tradition, with the Khalasi community ceremoniously pulling the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balbhadra, and Devi Subhadra.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with his family, attended the early morning prayers, while Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed the customary ‘Pahind Vidhi’, symbolically sweeping the road with a golden broom ahead of the chariot movement.
The grand procession, featuring 18 decorated elephants, over 100 trucks, bhajan mandalis, and 30 akhadas, will cover a 16-kilometer route through the old city, including sensitive areas, before returning to the temple by 8 PM. Multiple tableaux on diverse cultural and religious themes have also been included.
To ensure smooth conduct and security, nearly 23,800 personnel have been deployed. An AI-based surveillance system is being used for the first time to monitor crowd movement, prevent stampedes, and respond to emergencies such as fire or overcrowding. Alongside, 41 drones, 2,872 body-worn cameras, 96 static cameras, and 25 watch towers are being utilized for real-time monitoring.
About 4,500 personnel will walk with the Yatra, and 1,931 will manage traffic, with several roads closed to general public movement. In the lead-up to the Yatra, authorities held over 500 community meetings — including those with peace, women’s, and religious committees — to foster communal harmony.
The annual Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, one of the city’s most significant religious events, is expected to attract 14–15 lakh devotees throughout the day.
