Rath Yatra: Narendra Modi performs ritual of cleaning chariots

Ahmedabad: The Jagannath Rath Yatra began on Thursday morning from the 400-year-old Jagannath temple in Jamalpur area, amidst tight security arrangements. As per tradition, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, performed the 'Pahind Vidhi' of Rathyatra (symbolic path cleaning on chariot of Lord Jagannath) after which the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Baldev and their sister Devi Subhadra began in Ahmedabad.

Modi also pulled the chariot of Lord Jagannath out of the temple premises, an age old tradition. "I pray to Lord Jagannath that Gujarat which has been

successful in attaining new heights of development with peace, unity and sadhbhavana should prosper and progress more with the lord's blessing," he said.

The Jagannath Rath Yatra began from the 400-year-old Jagannath temple in Jamalpur area, amidst tight security arrangements

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the 135th Rath Yatra. Around 20,000 policemen including homeguards, SRPs and para-military will be deployed on the entire 14-kilometre yatra route along with other security arrangements.

For the first time GPS and hidden cameras will be used by the police.

With Additional Inputs from PTI

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