The Live Ahmedabad
  • Home
  • Ahd City
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Featured

The Live Ahmedabad

  • Home
  • Ahd City
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Featured
Gujarat

Puri to Jamalpur: Tracing the Legacy of Ahmedabad’s 147-Year-Old Jagannath Rathyatra

by TLAteam June 26, 2025June 26, 2025
written by TLAteam June 26, 2025June 26, 2025
Puri to Jamalpur: Tracing the Legacy of Ahmedabad’s 147-Year-Old Jagannath Rathyatra

Gujarat’s largest city, Ahmedabad, is all set to host the 148th edition of the grand Jagannath Rathyatra on Friday — one of the state’s most anticipated spiritual and cultural events. More than just a religious procession, the Rathyatra is a vibrant symbol of Gujarat’s cultural legacy, social unity, and seamless civic coordination.

Business News

Second in scale only to the iconic Rathyatra in Puri, Odisha, Ahmedabad’s celebration has deep roots in the Vaishnavite revival of the 19th century. Sects like Pushtimarg and Swaminarayan Sampraday already had a strong urban presence, and the Jagannath tradition—centered on Krishna worship in its tribal and rural forms—found resonance among city dwellers.

It was Mahant Narsinhdasji, inspired by the grandeur of Puri’s Rathyatra during a pilgrimage, who resolved to bring a similar experience to Ahmedabad. The Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur, believed to be nearly 450 years old, was chosen as the focal point of the event. His vision was to bring the divine to those who could not journey eastward—an act of both spiritual generosity and cultural inclusion.

Historical records show that during the British era, festivals like this became arenas for asserting community identity. In its early years in the late 1800s, Ahmedabad’s Rathyatra featured small chariots and modest crowds. But by the early 20th century, the event had grown so large that colonial authorities occasionally intervened on the grounds of maintaining public order.

The 16-kilometre-long procession begins at 7 a.m. from the centuries-old Jagannath Temple and winds its way through the old city—Kalupur, Prem Darwaja, Delhi Chakla, Shahpur, and Astodia—before returning to the temple in the evening. The deities—Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra—are carried in ornately decorated chariots, pulled by hundreds of devotees.

A highlight of the yatra is the Pahind Vidhi, the symbolic sweeping of the path by the Chief Minister of Gujarat—a ritual that represents humility and public service. Though deeply devotional, the event is also a model of civic synergy, requiring collaboration between police, municipal authorities, volunteers, and religious leaders.

Last year, over 10 lakh devotees participated, and a similar crowd is expected this time. “For us, Rathyatra isn’t just a festival—it’s an emotion,” said Meena Patel, 52, a lifelong resident of Jamalpur. “Watching the deities come out feels like a divine visit to our homes.”

The 2025 edition brings with it unprecedented levels of technological integration:

  • AI-based crowd monitoring
  • 3D mapping of the procession route
  • 3,500 CCTV cameras
  • 2,872 body-worn cameras
  • 25 watchtowers and 240 terrace vantage points
  • Deployment of over 23,884 security personnel
  • Sealing of 484 dilapidated buildings along the route for safety

Beyond its spiritual significance, the Rathyatra has evolved into a vehicle of social cohesion. Peace committee meetings, women-led outreach programs, and community-driven sports and cultural events are now regular features of the pre-yatra build-up.

With its roots in faith and branches spreading into every facet of society, Ahmedabad’s Rathyatra continues to be a celebration of devotion, diversity, and unity.

0 comment
previous post
Youth Caught Performing Risky Car Stunt on Sindhu Bhavan Road
next post
AMC’s Monsoon Plan Fails: Just 2 Inches of Rain Floods East Ahmedabad in an Hour

You may also like

Driving to Mumbai from Gujarat? Expect Major Delays...

July 11, 2025

Surat Tragedy: Three Family Members Die of Suffocation...

July 11, 2025

No Rules, Just Profits: RERA’s Inaction Lets Builders...

July 11, 2025

Post-Gambhira Tragedy, Fresh Fears Over Mumatpura Flyover’s Safety

July 11, 2025

Low Interest in BSc at Gujarat University, Fewest...

July 11, 2025

Gujarat Govt Rushes Road Repairs Amid Public Anger,...

July 18, 2025

HC orders strict action: Wrong-side drivers to face...

July 18, 2025

Two-Month-Old Baby Mauled to Death by Stray Dogs...

July 16, 2025

21 Hospitals Suspended from PMJAY in Gujarat After...

July 16, 2025

Heavy Rainfall Causes Flooding Across Gujarat; Alerts Issued

July 14, 2025

Driving to Mumbai from Gujarat? Expect Major Delays...

July 11, 2025

Surat Tragedy: Three Family Members Die of Suffocation...

July 11, 2025

No Rules, Just Profits: RERA’s Inaction Lets Builders...

July 11, 2025

Post-Gambhira Tragedy, Fresh Fears Over Mumatpura Flyover’s Safety

July 11, 2025

Low Interest in BSc at Gujarat University, Fewest...

July 11, 2025

Gujarat Govt Rushes Road Repairs Amid Public Anger,...

July 18, 2025

HC orders strict action: Wrong-side drivers to face...

July 18, 2025

Two-Month-Old Baby Mauled to Death by Stray Dogs...

July 16, 2025

21 Hospitals Suspended from PMJAY in Gujarat After...

July 16, 2025

Heavy Rainfall Causes Flooding Across Gujarat; Alerts Issued

July 14, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Business News

Recent Posts

  • 80 private schools received bomb threats

    July 18, 2025
  • Ahmedabad girl missing for six years found by Khambhat anti-human trafficking team

    July 18, 2025
  • Ahmedabad to enjoy a weekend full of poetry, movies, comedy, and exhibitions

    July 18, 2025
  • Is Ahmedabad really the ‘Cleanest Big City’? Heritage sites still remain dirty

    July 18, 2025
  • AMC’s 10-year security bill: ₹244 crore for guards and bouncers

    July 18, 2025
June 2025
MTWTFSS
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30
« May Jul »
The Live Ahmedabad
Footer Logo
  • Home
  • Ahd City
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Featured
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Advertise with Us
  • Work With Us
  • Contact Us

© 2021 - The Live Ahmedabad. All Rights Reserved.