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Jagannath Rath Yatra, the nine-day annual festival, began on Saturday in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad and Odisha’s Puri amid tight security and fanfare. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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Jagannath Rath Yatra begins amid tight security in Ahmedabad, Puri
Devotees, including those from outside India, thronged the two cities in large numbers to seek God’s blessings. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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Jagannath Rath Yatra begins amid tight security in Ahmedabad, Puri
It is said that in the 12th century, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra took to three giant wooden chariots pulled by devotees during the yatra. And people have been celebrating this since then to mark the annual journey of the three deities. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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Jagannath Rath Yatra begins amid tight security in Ahmedabad, Puri
On the occasion, devotees pull the three colourfully decorated chariots which carry the three idols of the deities. This year, the deity will be dressed up as a royal. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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Jagannath Rath Yatra begins amid tight security in Ahmedabad, Puri
Last year, the deity was dressed up as a cow herder. The yatra or journey commences on Dwitiya Tithi in the Shukla Paksha of Ashada month. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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Jagannath Rath Yatra begins amid tight security in Ahmedabad, Puri
Rupani and Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel performed ‘Pahind Vidhi’ – a symbolic ritual of cleaning the way for the chariots using a golden broom. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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Jagannath Rath Yatra begins amid tight security in Ahmedabad, Puri
Bahuda Jatra, which marks the end of the yatra, will take place on July 23. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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Jagannath Rath Yatra begins amid tight security in Ahmedabad, Puri
The 141st Rath yatra, which started from the Jagannath temple in Ahmedabad, saw BJP national president Amit Shah attending the ‘mangal aarti’ early morning. Other dignitaries who will attend the event include Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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Jagannath Rath Yatra begins amid tight security in Ahmedabad, Puri
Around 20,000 police personnel, home guard, State Reserve Police and para-military forces are guarding the 18-km route which passes through some communally-sensitive areas. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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Jagannath Rath Yatra begins amid tight security in Ahmedabad, Puri
Elaborate security arrangement has been made by Gujarat police including the use of Israel-made balloon cameras for aerial surveillance. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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Jagannath Rath Yatra begins amid tight security in Ahmedabad, Puri
