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Jagannath Yatra begins in Ahmedabad, Puri

     Ahmedabad/Puri: The 128th annual `Rath Yatra' or chariot procession of Lord Jagannath started in Ahmedabad at the break of the dawn today. Beautifully decorated chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra and Subhadra are being pulled by hundreds of devotees wading their way through a sea of humanity. "The three chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balram and sister Subhadra are accompanied by 16 decorated elephants, 98 tableaux on the various facets of Indian culture, 30 groups of gymnasts, 18 groups of religious hymn chanters and three music bands. About 1,000-1,200 members of the Khalasi community pull the chariots across the city. They are accompanied by a large number of devotees who have come from all corners of the city," said a Jagganath temple trustee.

    Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the annual journey by performing the `Pahind ceremony'. The process will return back to the main temple after touring through the Raipur, Khadia, Kalupur, Saraspur, Shahpur and Manek Chowk areas of the city. The flower-decked chariots of the yatra is second only to the `Jagannath Yatra at Puri (Orissa) in fame and granduer. In all 30 `akhadas', 18 `bhajan mandalis' and three `Ras Garba' teams also form part of the yatra processsion. Security has been strengthened in all sensitive areas in Gujarat in wake of the terrorist attack at Ayodhya with about 15,000 personnel from city police and para-military forces, including the BSF and CRPF, deployed along the 15 kms traditional route of the yatra, which includes some communally sensitive areas. "About 67 companies of the State Reserve Police, nine companies of the Border Security Force (BSF), five of CRPF, and other companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF), Border Wing Jawans and 6,000 police personnel of the city police are ensuring a fool- proof security for the yatra," Joint Commissioner of police C P Thakur told The rath yatra is taken out from over 90 places in the State every year. This has always been a testing time for the police due to skirmishes between the majority and miniority communities. Prohibitory orders have been clamped in the State banning assembly of more than four persons at a place _ barring the yatra _ and carrying sharp weapons, including "trishuls" and "dharias." Snipers and gunmen have also been deployed over roof-tops of houses located on the route of the yatra. Police sahayak (helpers)' badges have also been given to about 3,500 residents of the senstive areas who would assist the police enroute the yatra. Meanwhile, in Puri, the town has been wrapped in a security blanket due to the Rath Yatra. Troops are on a high alert in the wake of recent militant attack on the Ram Janamabhoomi site in Ayodhya on Tuesday. Puri sees millions of devotees from across the world congregating at the Jagannath temple for the chariot festival, marked by a massive procession which moves through the city's decorated streets for over six hours. More than 4,500 local police and riot control personnel have been deployed both inside and outside the shrine. A special operation group of heavily armed police is manning the three entry points to the town from Bhubaneswar, Konark and Brahmagiri. "We have augmented our existing security system. At three points special operation group, well armed, have been deployed. We have two teams moving around Puri town. We have two Quick Reaction teams placed at two strategic locations in the town to react to any kind of eventuality. We have also sensitized all hoteliers," Soumendra Priyadarshi, Superintendent of Police, Puri, said. Besides two companies of Rapid Action Force, at least 500 officers, 1,000 constables and 900 home guards have been deployed in the town, he added. Railway police have also been roped in to make the security foolproof. Trauma care centres and assistance booths have also been set up for the benefit of tourists and devotees. Security men are maintaining a strict vigil on the crowd from rooftops overseeing the road where the chariots are pulled by millions of people. The festival marks a journey in a round trip from the main temple to another nearby temple where the idols of the deities rest for seven days before their return to the main temple.

   The Rath Yatra is celebrated in June-July and has been going on for the last ten centuries though the existing temple was built in 12th century A.D. The Jagannath temple, about 60 kilometres from Bhubaneswar, is one of the holiest places for all Hindus. It is believed that Lord Jagannath is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The present Temple of Lord Jagannath was constructed by the Ganga Emperor Chodaganga Dev (1078-1147 A.D.) of Ganga dynasty. A stone inscription during the reign of Emperor Chodaganga Dev has been discovered in the Nursingha Temple within the compound of Lord Jagannath Temple within which one can get to know many facts about the temple is history behind it. It may be mentioned that Jagannath as a deity being worshipped has been referred to by Raja Indrabhuti of Sambal, who flourished in the 8th century A.D. The main Temple is divided into four parts: Pidha or Pitha, Bada, Gandi (lower part) and Mastak (head).Within the Temple, Ratna Singhasana is enshrined with four Idols of Lords Jagannath, Balabhadra, Devi Subhdara and Chakraraj Sudarshan along with metal made Bhudevi and Sridevi. The Representative Idol of Lord Jagnnath named Madan Mohan is worshipped in the South side of Temple upon Mukti Mandap and in front of the Nursingha Temple. Besides, in and around the Lord Jagannath Temple Bedha (Boundary) houes the Lords Patitapaban, mahavir near Singhadwar and Lrod viswanath of the starting point of Baisi Pahacha (22 steps). According to belief, all sins of the pilgrims disappear who touch these steps even once.
-July 8, 2005