Ahmedabad’s 149th annual Jagannath Rath Yatra commenced on Thursday with the traditional Mangala Aarti at the Shree Jagannathji Mandir in Jamalpur, drawing thousands of devotees for one of the city’s largest religious processions. Extensive security arrangements have been put in place across the 16-kilometre route, with more than 31,000 police personnel deployed and citizens urged to follow public safety advisories to ensure the procession proceeds peacefully.
Police issue public safety advisory
Ahead of the procession, Ahmedabad City Police appealed to devotees to remain vigilant in crowded areas, particularly when accompanying children and elderly family members.
In a video message, Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot urged citizens to cooperate with security personnel, stating that ensuring public safety remains the police’s highest priority.
Parents have been advised to hold their children’s hands in crowded areas and place identification slips carrying the child’s name and contact number in their pockets to help reunite families if children become separated. Citizens have also been asked not to leave elderly relatives unattended during the event.
The advisory further urged people to rely only on verified information from official sources and refrain from sharing or circulating unverified content on social media. The devotees are to report any suspicious person or unattended object to the nearest police officer or by dialling 112.
Mangala Aarti marks beginning of 149th Rath Yatra
The traditional Mangala Aarti at the nearly 400-year-old Shree Jagannathji Mandir marked the formal commencement of the city’s annual Rath Yatra. Thousands of devotees gathered at the temple before the three chariots carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra began their journey.
The procession starts from the Jamalpur temple, travels through several parts of Ahmedabad along a 16-kilometre route and returns to the temple later in the day. Regarded as the second-largest Jagannath Rath Yatra in India after Puri, the annual procession attracts lakhs of devotees from across Gujarat and beyond.
Over 31,000 personnel deployed under zero-risk security plan
Ahmedabad City Police have implemented a comprehensive security plan for this year’s procession. More than 31,000 police personnel have been stationed along the route, with surveillance being carried out through 65 drones, AI-enabled monitoring systems, thousands of CCTV cameras, over 2,800 body-worn cameras and more than 240 rooftop observation points.
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has also deployed 15 medical officers, 100 health personnel, 31 fire vehicles and 237 fire personnel. Additional arrangements have been made for crowd management, sanitation, medical assistance and emergency response throughout the event.
Gujarat reviews statewide Rath Yatra preparations
Ahead of the procession, Gujarat Chief Minister chaired a high-level review meeting in Gandhinagar to assess security and civic preparations for the 149th Ahmedabad Rath Yatra. During the meeting, he also reviewed arrangements for nearly 230 Rath Yatras being organised across the state, including six mini Rath Yatras in Ahmedabad.
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure all processions are conducted peacefully and instructed the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to prevent crowds from gathering near dilapidated buildings along the city’s Rath Yatra route. He also emphasised that every precaution should be taken to ensure devotees can participate safely.
Authorities appeal for public cooperation
This year’s 16-kilometre Ahmedabad Rath Yatra features 101 trucks, 30 akhadas and 18 bhajan mandalis. Authorities have appealed to devotees to follow the official guidelines to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the annual religious events.
