137the Jagannath Rath Yatra begins with fervour

Amid tight security, the 137th edition of Lord Jagannath's rathyatra began in Ahmedabad on Monday (June 29) morning from the ancient Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur area.

Devotees participate in the procession while policemen try to manage the crowd during Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra.

As per the century old tradition, elephants had the first glimpse of Lord Jagannath and are leading the procession through different parts of the city.

Aerial view of Lord Jagannath's 137th Rath Yatra.

After setting off from the over 400 year-old iconic temple, the rathyatra will traverse through about 14 kilometre route in the city.

Devotees gather at Jagannath Temple for Lord Jagannath's 137th Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad.

Elaborate security measures have been put in place to ensure peaceful passage of the rathyatra where lakhs of people from the city and outside would participate.

The procession would comprise 18 elephants, 100 trucks, 30 religious congregations, 18 singing troupes, three chariots and seven cars. The procession will pass through 127 localities, including some sensitive areas like Kalupur, Prem Darwaja, Delhi Chakla, Dariyapur and Shahpur in the old city, amid tight security arrangements.

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel performed the 'Pahind Vidhi' for the rathyatra with a 'golden-broom' (symbolic cleaning of the path for chariot of Lord Jagannath).
The first woman chief minister of Gujarat also pulled the chariot, after which the procession of Lord Jagannath, brother Lord Baldev and their sister Subhadra began.

Anandiben Patel at the Rath Yatra.

A Hindu devotee wears a t-shirt depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Lord while the other flaunts her tattoo of Lord Jagannath during Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad.

The procession halts at Saraspur, where the local people offer 'Maha Bhoj' to the entire entourage. Saraspur area of the city has religious significance as it is considered as Lord Jagannath's maternal home.

Devotees clad in saffron and white participate in Lord Jagannath's 137th Rath Yatra.

Devotees participate in Jagannath Rath Yatra in Allahabad.

Devotees chant holy slogans before the commencement of Lord Jagannnath Rath Yatra in Allahabad.

Devotees pull the rope of Lord Jagannnath's chariot on the occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra in Allahabad.