Prasanta Kumar Sahoo
Adalaj (Gandhinagar): A spectacular display of spirituality, devotion and cultural splendour came alive at the annual Rath Yatra at the Jagannath Temple in Gujarat’s Adalaj on Thursday.
Thousands of devotees gathered to participate in the 12th chariot festival of the temple, seeking blessings of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.
The deities were taken out in a grand procession, with the Rath Yatra being jointly organised by the Jagannath Cultural Academy and Research Centre (JCARC) and the Orissa Socio-Cultural Association, Ahmedabad (OSCA).
A highlight of the spectacle was the ‘Chhera Pahanra’ ritual by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who ceremonially swept the chariot with a golden broom before the commencement of the procession.
The ritual mirrored the centuries-old tradition at the world-famous Jagannath temple in Puri, where the Gajapati Maharaja (the titular king of Puri) performs the same sacred ceremony before the Rath Yatra begins every year.
Former deputy CM Narhari Amin, Gandhinagar mayor Miraben Patel and Vejalpur MLA Amit Thaker were among the dignitaries present.
A single chariot carrying the three deities was taken out in a grand procession from the Jagannath Temple to the Annapurna Temple on the Adalaj-Koba Road, covering a distance of about 3 kilometres. After a ceremonial midday halt and offering at the Annapurna temple, the chariot returned to Jagannath Temple.
“Arrangements were made to serve prasad to nearly 20,000 devotees at the temple, while around 30,000 people visited the shrine on the occasion,” said JCARC member-secretary Ajay Kumar Das.
‘Chhera Pahanra’ symbolises humility and equality before the Almighty, and conveys the message that irrespective of one’s wealth, power or social status, every individual is a humble servant of the divine. The Rath Yatra, therefore, embodies ideals of equality, devotion and universal brotherhood.
The festival is an occasion when the deities leave the sanctum sanctorum and come out among the people, allowing devotees from every section of society to have darshan. With no distinction of caste, creed, or social background, the Rath Yatra strengthens the belief that the divine belongs equally to all.
Celebrated on Ashadi Bij, second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha month, the Rath Yatra holds immense mythological, religious, and cultural significance. The festival serves as a reminder of the enduring values of love, compassion, inclusivity and social harmony.
For devotees, participating in or witnessing the Rath Yatra is considered highly auspicious. It is believed that pulling the chariots washes away sins and brings blessings and good fortune.
Rath Yatra is also a vibrant celebration of Odisha’s rich cultural heritage, showcasing its traditions, rituals, and devotional practices while fostering communal harmony and social cohesion.
“The Rath Yatra at Adalaj aims at serving twin objectives – we want to keep the Jagannath culture alive here and give the people of Gujarat a glimpse into the world-famous Rath Yatra of Puri. The festival is a symbol of universal brotherhood and communal harmony, and it is our humble endeavour to uphold this sacred tradition here,” said JCARC chairman Maheswar Sahu.
The Jagannath Temple at Adalaj was inaugurated on the day of Rath Yatra in 2014. The annual Rath Yatra has been celebrated there since 2015.
This year, the month-long festival commenced with Devasnana Purnima on June 29 and will conclude with Niladri Bije on July 27.
