Lakhs throng Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, July 6: The 139th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath was taken out here on Wednesday with traditional fervour and gaiety.

The procession snaked through its 15 km route in the walled areas of Ahmedabad amid tight security, with lakhs of devotees thronging to have a glimpse of the deity.

The chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra began the journey from the 400-year-old Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur after Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel did 'Pahind Vidhi', a symbolic ritual of cleaning the route of the chariots with a golden broomstick.

BJP President Amit Shah earlier took part in the 'Mangla Aarti'.

The Rath Yatra comprises 18 decorated elephants, 101 trucks, around 30 religious congregations and around 20 singing troupes. The yatra returns to the temple after almost 11 hours.

IANS