The Gujarat police heaved a sigh of relief as the 137th Rath Yatra of lord Jagannath completed peacefully on Sunday at around 8.45 pm. The procession was carried out rather peacefully on Sunday just like previous 13 years as not a single untoward incident was reported during the day-long procession.
The rath yatra is conducted on the auspicious day of Ashadhi Bij every year. Early morning, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel performed customary Pahind Vidhi ritual for the first time to launch the procession. As per tradition, the CM has the privilege to perform the holy ritual after which the Rath Yatra begins. Patel also became the first woman in over a centuryold annual Rath Yatra to perform the ritual.
“The procession should spread the message to save the girl child, curb malnutrition and fight against all evils of addiction,” Patel said on the occasion. The Chief Minister also complimented the administration for working as a team and ensuring peaceful conduct of the chariot processions in the State.
The Rath Yatra travelled almost 18 km in the different parts of city for more than 13 hours that include communally sensitive areas. large number of devotees participated in the procession and followed three especially-designed chariots. Even people from minority community joined the procession and in some minority-dominated pockets community leaders welcomed the procession. The procession comprised of 18 elephants, 100 trucks, 30 religious congregations, 18 singing troupes and seven cars, apart from three chariots.
Apart from over 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel, four Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were deployed on the route of rath yatra to maintain peace. Besides, more than 50 CCTV cameras were installed at strategic points.
After Jagannath Puri in Odisha, the Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad is considered as the second biggest in the country.
PM Modi greets people on Kutchi New Year
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted people on the occasion of Rath Yatra and Kutchi New Year. “My warm greetings to everyone on the occasion of lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra that would be held across India. We bow to lord on this auspicious day. Today once again he sets out on his chariot, giving blessings to the people. We pray to lord Jagannath for peace, prosperity & happiness in India. May lord Jagannath bless us with good monsoon that will help farmers,” he said. He further said that as Gujarat CM he had the honour to perform the Pahind Vidhi ritual during the Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, which is an experience he really cherished. “My greetings on Ashadhi Bij, the Kutchi New Year. I pray for a year filled with joy & happiness,” said PM, while greeting people of Kutch.