Ahmedabad: Several rath yatras in the city’s west — from Swaminarayan Gurukul to Iskcon Temple — gave devotees the chance to catch a glimpse of the deities. Chief minister Bhupendra Patel flagged off SGVP Gurukul’s 19th rath yatra in Memnagar. The chariot travelled on a 7km route around the area. The Hare Krishna Temple in Bhadaj took out a people’s yatra where locals participated in large numbers.Vrunda Parmar, a resident of the Satellite area, said that she often commutes to Kalupur or Khamasa to get a glimpse of the main yatra, but also participates in the Iskcon rath yatra. “It gives us the opportunity to be part of the procession and see the deities from up close. My family considers it an auspicious sign,” she said. Thousands of devotees gathered at the Jagannath Temple in Adalaj for the shrine’s 12th chariot festival, organised by the Jagannath Cultural Academy and Research Centre (JCARC) and the Orissa Socio-Cultural Association, Ahmedabad (OSCA). A highlight was the ‘Chhera Pahanra’ ritual by chief minister Bhupendra Patel, who ceremonially swept the chariot with a golden broom before the 3km procession started. Former deputy chief minister Narhari Amin, Gandhinagar mayor Mira Patel and Vejalpur MLA Amit Thaker were also present. Arrangements were made to serve prasad to nearly 20,000 devotees at the temple. Police said the city sees around 10 different rath yatras.
