Gujarat: Jagannath Netrotsav rituals begins in Ahmedabad

The traditional Netrotsav rituals ahead of the 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra began at the Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, marking the start of the three-day religious celebrations leading up to the annual procession on Ashadhi Bij.The temple administration also announced the official schedule for the three-day festivities, with the Rath Yatra set to commence at 7 am on July 16 along its traditional 16.2-km route.
The celebrations began with Vedic rituals and the ceremonial reinstallation of the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra on the sacred Ratnavedi inside the sanctum sanctorum after the completion of the 15-day Anasara period. The traditional Netrotsav ceremony was then performed as part of the Navayauvan Darshan, during which silk bands were ceremonially tied over the deities' eyes.Following the hoisting of the temple flag and the opening of the temple doors, thousands of devotees gathered for darshan. A Maha Aarti was performed in the presence of Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, while Energy Minister and Ahmedabad district in-charge Rushikesh Patel also attended the ceremonies. A special Mahaprasad bhandara and distribution of clothes were organised for saints and seers visiting from across the country.

On the eve of the Rath Yatra on July 15, the deities will be adorned in the traditional Sona Vesh (golden attire) at 10:30 am, an event expected to attract lakhs of devotees. Special worship of the decorated elephants leading the procession will also be held, followed by the consecration of the three chariots at 11:30 am. Chariot worship and Aarti will take place at 3 pm, while evening devotional Aarti and special puja are scheduled for 8 pm.On the day of the Rath Yatra, festivities will begin with the Mangala Aarti at 4 am, followed by the traditional khichdi offering at 4:30 am. Between 5:30 am and 6 am, the three deities will be ceremonially seated in their chariots before the traditional Pahind ceremony marks the beginning of the historic procession at 7 am.
Ahead of the procession, Harsh Sanghavi inspected the entire Rath Yatra route and reviewed security arrangements with senior police officials, including Director General of Police G.S. Malik and Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot.
Addressing the media after the inspection, Sanghavi said the procession will feature three main chariots, 18 elephants, 103 trucks, 30 akhadas and several devotional music groups.He said the entire 16.2-km route has been divided into 26 ranges, 53 areas and 1,397 security points. More than 30,000 police personnel, including 10 IGs and DIGs, 42 DCPs, 88 ACPs, 15 State Reserve Police Force units and nine Central Armed Police Force units have been deployed for the event.The minister said advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, 3D mapping and smart monitoring systems will be used to strengthen security. More than 100 drones will provide aerial surveillance, while GPS tracking, CCTV cameras and decibel meters will monitor elephants participating in the procession. AI-powered facial recognition cameras, body-worn cameras, anti-drone systems and high-tech wireless communication networks have also been deployed.

VIDEO | Ahmedabad: Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi inspected the entire 16.2-km route of the 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra and reviewed the extensive security arrangements ahead of the procession. Speaking to the media, he highlighted the deployment of over 30,000… pic.twitter.com/06Uz6QDhH7

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Sanghavi said the police had been engaging with members of different communities through meetings and outreach programmes over the past month to ensure the festival is conducted peacefully. He appealed to devotees to follow safety guidelines, avoid climbing unsafe structures along the route and cooperate with authorities to ensure the smooth conduct of the Rath Yatra.

(State Correspondent)