148th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath Begins in Ahmedabad Amid Tight Security

GG News Bureau
Ahmedabad, 27th June: The 148th edition of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra commenced in Ahmedabad on Friday morning, drawing thousands of devotees who gathered to witness the revered annual procession.

The ceremonial chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra, and sister Subhadra were traditionally pulled out from the 400-year-old Jagannath temple in Jamalpur by members of the Khalasi community, in keeping with centuries-old customs.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with his family, offered morning prayers at the temple, while Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed the ritual ‘pahind vidhi’ — symbolically cleaning the path of the deities using a golden broom.

The majestic procession, which spans 16 km through the old city, including several communally sensitive areas, is expected to return to the temple by 8 PM. The event features 18 elephants, 100 trucks, over 30 akhadas (traditional gymnasiums), and numerous devotional groups. Several trucks have been transformed into tableaux on diverse themes, adding vibrancy to the spiritual celebration.

Crowds numbering in the lakhs are expected to line the route throughout the day to pay obeisance. In anticipation of the massive turnout, authorities have implemented elaborate security arrangements, deploying nearly 23,800 personnel, including 4,500 walking with the procession and 1,931 tasked with traffic management.

For the first time, an Artificial Intelligence-based surveillance system has been introduced to monitor crowd density and help prevent stampedes or emergencies. According to an official release, the AI system will also alert police and fire departments in case of fire or excessive crowding at any point along the route.

Surveillance is being reinforced with 2,872 body-worn cameras, 41 drones, 96 fixed CCTV cameras, and 25 watch towers, enabling senior police officers to monitor the entire event in real time from the control room.

In the lead-up to the yatra, police held 177 peace committee meetings, 235 mohalla committee sessions, 57 women’s committee meetings, and 21 meetings with religious leaders, aiming to preserve communal harmony during the event.

With spirituality, tradition, and technology coming together, the 148th Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad showcases the enduring faith of devotees and the state’s commitment to a peaceful and secure celebration.