148th Jagannath Rathyatra rolls through Ahmedabad amid minor hiccups

Rathyatra Begins with Mangal Aarti by Amit Shah

The 148th Jagannath Rathyatra commenced on Friday morning in Ahmedabad with Union Home Minister Amit Shah performing the ceremonial mangala arti at the historic Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur. Flanked by senior ministers and officials, Shah offered prayers before the deities' chariots began their 18-km-long journey across the city, drawing lakhs of devotees.

The three towering chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra began their ornate procession through traditional routes—passing Jamalpur, Danilimda, Saraspur, Kalupur, Raikhad—before returning to the temple by evening.

Elephant runs amok near Khadia, injures one

A brief moment of chaos unfolded around 9.15 am at Khadia’s Desi Ni Pol area when an elephant in the procession turned restive upon encountering the surging crowd. The only male among the 18 suddenly became agitated and began running, veering away from the designated path of the procession. The animal charged forward, triggering panic and a near-stampede-like situation.

Emergency services from EMRI 108 responded promptly, confirming that one person sustained minor injuries and was shifted to a nearby hospital. Police temporarily halted musical troupes in the area to calm the atmosphere, and animal handlers brought the elephant under control within minutes.

Suspicious drone intercepted over procession route

In a major security intervention, a suspicious drone hovering over the dense crowd near Jamalpur around 11.30 am was swiftly neutralised by the Crime Branch using a long-range anti-drone gun. Officials confirmed that the drone was intercepted before it could breach the inner perimeters of the event’s security bubble.

Police officials later confirmed the drone belonged to their force. It had not been registered, but was subsequently released and cleared for flight.

Truck breakdown briefly delays procession

At approximately 10.45 am, Truck No. 11, part of the chariot convoy, suffered a mechanical breakdown near the Panch Kuva junction. The vehicle, which carried devotees, was quickly moved to the side, repaired on site, and rejoined the procession without causing significant delays.

Panch Kuva turns into devotional stage

Around 10.30 am, the Panch Kuva stretch turned into a centre of devotional energy as various akhadas performed daring stunts, while bhajan mandalis and traditional bands filled the air with spiritual chants. Priests sprayed ami chhanta (holy water) on the crowds, drawing loud cheers and rhythmic chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’.

Child help desks act swiftly amid dense crowds

To ensure child safety amid the massive footfall, help desks were installed by the CID, Railway Protection Force (RPF), and Mahila Crime Branch—particularly in high-density zones like Saraspur. The kiosks handled several cases of missing children, managing swift reunions thanks to coordinated response teams and public announcements.

Medical emergencies handled efficiently by EMRI 108

Despite the peaceful atmosphere, EMRI 108 emergency services attended to 35 medical emergencies across the route. These included:

First Aid Cases: 15

Hospitalisations: 20

Breakdown of medical cases:

Fainting: 15

Falls: 6

Vomitting: 1

Headache: 1

Abdominal pain: 1

Other issues (dehydration, fatigue, minor injuries): 11

Medical stations were placed strategically along high-traffic zones, ensuring quick response and transport.

Tech-Powered Surveillance Elevates Crowd Control

This year’s Rathyatra featured robust technological upgrades, including AI-powered video analytics, real-time crowd density tracking, and a centralised command centre that coordinated with local police stations, collectors, and civic authorities.

Drone visuals and surveillance feeds were streamed live to control rooms and were also made available to the public on official platforms. Authorities said this model would serve as a blueprint for future large-scale religious gatherings.

Over 20,000 Deployed for Multilayered Security

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik and Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi personally supervised the deployment of over 20,000 personnel. This included local police, RAF units, bomb squads, fire brigades, and dog squads. Surveillance was bolstered by 40 high-resolution drones, multiple anti-drone installations, and over 1,200 CCTV cameras.

Sensitive zones such as Jamalpur, Saraspur, Kalupur, and the Raipur crossroads were placed under special watch, with senior officials on round-the-clock rotation.

Tradition Meets Modernity in Seamless Execution

Despite isolated incidents, the Rathyatra concluded by sundown with the return of the deities to the Jagannath Temple. Devotees continued to chant, sing, and offer prayers well into the evening.

Officials hailed this year’s event as a “seamless blend of spiritual legacy and civic precision.” The city’s ability to manage massive footfalls while incorporating modern tech tools marked a significant leap in public event management.

As the sun set on Friday, the temple bells echoed once again, marking the end of a divine journey and reaffirming Ahmedabad’s place at the heart of Gujarat’s spiritual map.