Gujarat celebrates Rath Yatra amid tight security

CM commences procession, Amit Shah offers prayers at Ahmedabad temple

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel commences the Rath Yatra at Jagannath Temple on Sunday. (Image source: PTI)

“I pray to Lord Jagannathji for everyone’s welfare,” said Union Home Minister Amit Shah during mangala aarti at Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad on Sunday, as Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel commenced the Yatra from the city temple in the morning. The CM later monitored the live broadcast of the Yatra on the video wall of the CM-Dashboard from his residence.

“Like every year, on the auspicious occasion of Lord Jagannathji’s Rath Yatra, I had the good fortune to participate in the mangala aarti of Sri Jagannath Mandir located in Ahmedabad this year too. Mangala aarti always gives immense peace and renewed energy. I pray to Lord Jagannathji for everyone’s welfare,” Shah posted on X in Gujarati and Hindi.

CM Patel, who commenced the Yatra from Jagannath Temple with pahind ceremony early Sunday, later in the day supervised all the arrangements — routes, locations and security — by police. He was accompanied by Chief Secretary Raj Kumar, Vikas Sahay (Director General of Police), Pankaj Joshi (Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister), along with officials of the municipal corporation, ICT and police.

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The CM also commenced the 17th Rath Yatra organised by SGVP Ahmedabad at SGVP Gurukul, Memnagar, which covered around 7 km, before concluding in Memnagar on Sunday evening.

Nearly 12,500 police personnel as well as 24,000 officers, including the paramilitary force, have been stationed along the Yatra route.

Police have installed 46 high-technology CCTV cameras having 360-degree movement at 14 places, 22 public announcement systems at over 10 locations and, for the first time, 21 face-recognition cameras at 14 spots along the Yatra route; emergency call boxes have also been set up.

Over 100 tableaus took part in the Yatra in Ahmedabad, with cricket ruling them with huge posters of all the World Cups won by the Indian cricket team so far; remaining were themed on various subjects like Ayodhya’s Ram temple and organ donation among others.

35 emergency medical cases reported

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Meanwhile, 35 medical emergency cases were reported during the Yatra, until 6 pm on Sunday, with the 108 emergency services reporting about three such patients.

While a 65-year-old man was admitted to SVP Hospital after he reported a suspected stroke at Chinai Garani pole in Shahpur area, another 22-year-old man was shifted to Asarwa Civil Hospital after he suffered convulsions. A 57-year-old woman was admitted to hospital after she complained of vomiting and sweating; a devotee fell down while 21 others fainted, four suffered from diarrhea and vomiting, and five required first aid.

Rath Yatra processions were organised in the districts of Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Kheda and Aravalli to mark Ashadi Beej — Hindu New Year — as well.

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