Ahmedabad: Chief minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday flagged off the 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra from the Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur after performing rituals on the occasion of Ashadhi Bij.
CM Bhupendra Patel, along with DyCM Harsh Sanghavi perform the ‘pahind vidhi’ to start the annual 149th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Ahmedabad on Thursday
Patel performed the traditional ‘pahind vidhi’ for the fifth consecutive year, sweeping the chariot with a golden broom in a ritual symbolising humility and devotion. He later joined the ceremonial procession as the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra rolled out amid chants and devotional fervour.Deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi also took part in the rituals. The yatra began from the nearly 400-year-old Jagannath temple in Jamalpur.Greeting citizens, Patel said it was a privilege to have darshan, perform aarti and take part in the rath yatra. He said Lord Jagannath’s journey, along with Balabhadra and Subhadra, was meant to bless devotees, especially the poor and working classes.Calling the Ahmedabad rath yatra a symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood, Patel thanked govt agencies, volunteers, and organisations for ensuring the smooth and peaceful conduct of the procession.He also extended Kutchi New Year greetings to the Kutchi community across the world on Ashadhi Bij.Temple mahant Dilipdasji Maharaj, mayor Hitesh Barot, MLAs, senior police and civic officials, and a large number of devotees were present.
