SLUG: 149th Jagannath Rath YatraAhmedabad: The 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra will combine tradition with new safety tools this year. Temple authorities and police have planned decibel checks and movement tracking for the elephants in the procession. The focus is on preventing panic among the animals, especially in crowded and noisy stretches.The move follows last year’s incident in Khadia, where the only male elephant in the procession reportedly reacted to loud DJ music, charged towards the crowd and left one person injured. Several others managed to move out of the danger zone in time.
A specialised medical team conducts health inspections of the temple elephants at Jagannath Temple, ensuring they are fit, calm, and ready ahead of the grand Rath yatra procession in Ahmedabad
This year, 18 elephants are expected to join the traditional 18-km procession. Apart from city zoo officials, elephant experts will accompany them along the route. Teams will use equipment to measure decibel levels around the animals.The pachyderms will be fitted with GPS trackers. The teams will use 360-degree cameras and sound monitors to ensure real-time safety for both the animals and lakhs of devotees. The data will help handlers detect any sudden veering and act quickly.
Ahmedabad Crime Branch officials conducted a security rehearsal of the new ‘Gajrakshak’ elephant safety monitoring system at Jagannath Temple.
Temple trustee Mahendra Jha said on Monday that the three chariots have been insured for Rs 1.5 crore. He said the temple is also considering insurance cover for participants who will join the procession along the route.Jha said the procession will also include 101 trucks and tableaux, 30 akhada groups, and 18 bhajan groups. “The procession will take the traditional route. Meetings with all stakeholders, including the truck association, police and participants, have gone well. This is a special year for us as next year will mark the 150th rath yatra,” he said.He added that the temple plans special events through this year to mark the run-up to the historic event.
Ahead of 149th Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, members of the Muslim community present a silver chariot to temple’s head priest, Mahant Dilipdasji Maharaj
Police officials said they have formed shanti samitis, or peace committees, in areas along the procession route. These committees will coordinate with police and paramilitary personnel on the day of the yatra. Officials said the force will also use several new technologies to monitor the event and respond faster if crowd or route-related issues arise.
