Union Home Minister Amit Shah performed 'Mangla Aarti' at Jagannath temple in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad on Sunday morning ahead of the Rath Yatra 2024. He was accompanied by his wife, Sonal Shah, at the temple. The 147th edition of the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is set to take place on July 7 in Ahmedabad.
Meanwhile on Sunday, Patel also performed the 'PahindVidhi' or the symbolic cleaning of the path for chariot of Jagannath for Rath Yatra.
Ahead of the yatra, security has been beefed up for the event. More than 15,000 police personnel have been deployed to guard the event, which draws lakhs of devotees, news agency ANI reported, citing police.
Giving details of the yatra, JCP Ahmedabad Police Chief Neeraj Badgujar said, "Today, the 147th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath will take place. Rehearsals have been done for this Rath Yatra by the police. More than 15,000 police personnel have been deployed. Technology like CCTV and drone surveillance will also be used. Arrangements have been made so the devotees do not face any trouble."
Shah’s visit to the Jagannath temple comes a day after Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel offered prayers at the Jagannath Puri Temple in Odisha on the eve of Lord Jagannath's 147th Rath Yatra.