Ahmedabad: The 148th Rath Yatra of Bhagwan Jagannath is taking place today in the city with great devotion, vibrant traditions, and extensive security arrangements. Held annually on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya, or Ashadhi Bij, the chariot festival is the second-largest in the country after Puri and attracts lakhs of devotees from across Gujarat and beyond.

The tradition of the Rath Yatra in the city dates back to 1878 with the belief of devotees that Lord Jagannath himself steps out to bless those unable to visit the temple. The day begins early with Mangla Aarti, a ritual that has been performed for several years by Union Home Minister Amit Shah around 4:00 am. After this comes Pahind Vidhi, a symbolic road-sweeping ceremony using a golden broom performed by the Chief Minister of Gujarat, who then ceremonially flags off the Rath Yatra by pulling the chariot out of the Jagannath Temple.

While the Pahind ceremony is traditionally conducted by titular King in Puri, in Ahmedabad, it is the Chief Minister who carries out the ritual, symbolizing the evolving cultural traditions unique to Gujarat’s celebration of the festival.

The Rath Yatra begins at around 7:00 AM from the 400-year-old Jagannath Mandir in Jamalpur and will return to the temple around 8:00 PM after covering a 16-kilometer route through the Old City. The chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra, and sister Subhadra are drawn through iconic parts of Ahmedabad, including Jamalpur Chakla, Vaishya Sabha, Gollimda, Astodia Chakla, Madangopal ni Haveli, Raipur Chakla, Khadia Juni Gate, Khadia Crossroads, Panchkuva, Kalupur Circle, and Kalupur Bridge. A key highlight is the stop at Saraspur, where locals offer a traditional feast to the pilgrims at Shri Ranchhodraiji Mandir.

On the return route, the procession passes through Kalupur Chokha Bazar and sensitive zones such as Prem Darwaja, Dariyapur, Shahpur Halim ni Khadki, Rangila Police Chowky, Delhi Chakla, Ghee Kanta, Pankor Naka, Manek Chowk, and Khamasa before culminating at the Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur.

For those unable to attend in person, the Rath Yatra is streamed live on various platforms, including Doordarshan and local digital and television channels, ensuring that devotees across the state and country can witness the divine procession from home.

The event is also known as Gujarat’s “Lokotsav,” or people’s festival, featuring an array of cultural displays. This year’s procession includes 18 decorated elephants, 100 trucks carrying religious tableaux, 30 akhadas (martial arts troupes) showcasing their skills, and performances by bhajan mandalis, raas-garba groups, and traditional bands. The holy chariots are pulled by members of the Khalashi community, continuing a centuries-old tradition.

In a first, the Ahmedabad Police have deployed Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to monitor crowd density and fire hazards in real time. The system will automatically detect overcrowding and raise alerts for immediate response by police and emergency teams.

More than 23,884 personnel, including members of the SRP battalions, Chetak Commandos, and Rapid Action Force, have been deployed for security. Around 4,500 police officers will be accompanying the moving procession to safeguard participants, vehicles, and cultural groups. Additionally, 1,000 traffic police personnel, under the supervision of the Joint Commissioner of Traffic, are on duty to manage city traffic and ensure smooth movement along the route.

To support surveillance efforts, 227 CCTV cameras, 41 drones, and 2,872 body-worn cameras have been installed. Twenty-three cranes are on standby for emergency clearance, while 240 dhaba points and 25 watchtowers have been established for real-time monitoring of the route.

To avoid mishaps, 484 old or structurally weak buildings along the Yatra route have been barricaded and marked with warning signs. Seventeen public assistance centers and 44 public address systems have been set up to provide help and information to attendees.

In the lead-up to the event, Ahmedabad Police conducted 177 Peace Committee meetings, 235 Mohalla Committee meetings, and 57 Women’s Committee meetings to promote community engagement and communal harmony. Meetings were also held with religious leaders, akhada managers, and Khalashi representatives. Public outreach programs such as the Ekta Cup cricket match, volleyball tournaments, mehndi competitions, and blood donation camps were also organized to foster unity and civic participation.

As Ahmedabad reverberates with devotion, tradition, and cultural pride, the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 stands as a symbol of Gujarat’s spiritual spirit and inclusive social fabric. DeshGujarat