Gujarat Prepares for Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra

On July 1, Gujarat Police organized a meeting with the Lord Jagannath Temple Committee and senior officials of Ahmedabad Police to discuss the upcoming Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, scheduled for July 7 in Ahmedabad.

Security Measures

Gujarat DGP Vikas Sahay announced, “We will make full use of GPS, CCTV cameras, and drones during the Rath Yatra. The city is very excited and the atmosphere is very positive. We are getting cooperation from all classes of people.”

On June 30, Gujarat Police conducted foot patrolling in Ahmedabad to review the security arrangements for the Rath Yatra.

Special Train Arrangements

Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that special arrangements have been made for the devotees coming for the Rath Yatra. He mentioned, “For the auspicious occasion of the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, special arrangements have been made by the railways. To facilitate the devotees of Maha Prabhu from different states, at least 315 trains will run, covering all parts of Odisha.”

He also added, “We are constituting a holding area for 15,000 people, along with the construction of a toilet complex and temporary ticketing centre. We are making all possible efforts to ease the journey of the devotees.”

About the Rath Yatra

The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot festival, is believed to be as old as the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The festival involves the journey of the Holy Trinity to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha Devi’s Temple, and culminates with their return after eight days. The festival stretches from the day of Akshaya Tritiya in April and ends with the return of the Holy Trinity to the Shree Mandir premises.