Ahmedabad, July 16 (IANS) Elaborate arrangements for security and emergency services have been made for more than 200 Rath Yatra processions taking place across Gujarat, especially in Ahmedabad, which hosts the second-largest Jagannath Rath Yatra in India after Puri, held annually on ‘Ashadhi Bij’.

Speaking to reporters, Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik said: “More than 200 Rath Yatras will be taken out across Gujarat, and the police have made complete security arrangements for all of them. The 149th Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad is considered the most sensitive in the state. Security arrangements here are very good and continue to improve every year.”

Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchha Nidhi Pani said: “Today, the 149th Rath Yatra has begun in Ahmedabad. Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath have come out of their temple and will undertake a procession across the city. The route that will be taken is around 16 km long.”

He mentioned that all arrangements have been made by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and the police.

“All measures, including ambulances and fire brigades, have been put in place. Also, the devotees are happy that they will get a ‘darshan’ of the Lord during the procession,” he added.

BJP MP Mayank Nayak said: “May Lord Jagannath’s blessings remain with everyone. This tradition has continued for years, and Lord Jagannath’s blessings are upon Gujarat and the entire country. I pray to Lord Jagannath that His blessings remain with Gujarat and the whole nation in fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve of a Viksit Bharat.”

Devotees who gathered outside the temple spoke of their enthusiasm for the annual festival.

One devotee said: “I have come here for the first time to witness the Rath Yatra. My family, Laddu Gopal, and I have all come for the darshan.” Another devotee said, “I felt immense joy. Today, for the first time, I had the opportunity to have the darshan of Lord Jagannath in this way.”

A regular visitor to the procession said: “We have been here since 3:30 a.m. We come here every year in the morning for the Rath Yatra.”

Earlier in the morning, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah performed the ‘Mangala Aarti’ and offered prayers at the temple, while Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel carried out the traditional ‘Pahind Vidhi’, ceremonially sweeping the path before the chariots with a golden broom before the procession began.

–IANS

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