Union Home Minister Amit Shah performed the Mangala Aarti at the Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad to open the city's 149th Rath Yatra [1].
The event marks one of the most significant cultural and religious observations in Gujarat, drawing massive crowds and requiring extensive state coordination.
Shah was accompanied by his family and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel during the rituals at the Shree Jagannath Mandir in Jamalpur [2]. The Mangala Aarti serves as the official commencement of the annual festival [3].
Reports on the exact date of the ceremony vary between sources. One report lists the event as occurring on June 29, 2026 [4], while another indicates it took place on July 16, 2026 [5].
To manage the expected influx of devotees and ensure public safety, authorities deployed more than 30,000 security personnel [6]. The high-security presence was maintained throughout the rituals and the initial stages of the procession.
The Rath Yatra is a tradition that has seen 149 editions in the city [4]. The celebration involves the procession of deities from the temple, a ritual that continues to be a focal point of community gathering in Ahmedabad [2].
“Union Home Minister Amit Shah performed the Mangala Aarti at the Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad”
The participation of high-ranking officials like the Union Home Minister and the state Chief Minister underscores the political and cultural importance of the Jagannath Rath Yatra. The deployment of over 30,000 security personnel reflects the scale of the event and the state's priority in maintaining order during large-scale religious gatherings in urban centers.
