Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel offers prayers at Jagannath Puri Temple ahead of Rath Yatra

Puri (Odisha) [India], July 6 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday offered prayers at the Jagannath Puri Temple in Odisha on the eve of Lord Jagannath's 147th Rath Yatra, which is going to be held in Ahmedabad tomorrow.
"On the eve of Lord Jagannathji's 147th Rath Yatra to be held in Ahmedabad, I felt blessed to participate in the puja-archana and evening aarti at Sri Jagannath Mandir. May everyone's enthusiasm for the Rath Yatra continue and may the happiness, peace and prosperity of the citizens of the state continue to increase. May the grace of Lord Jagannath ji continue to shower on Gujarat and the entire country and may the rains be good this time and all the farmers may be happy with the good rains at the feet of Lord Jagannath ji," Patel wrote in a post on X.
Earlier today, the three chariots of the Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra; Nandighosha, Darpadalana, and Taladhwaja, were brought to Singha Dwara of Puri Srimandir ahead of the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra.
The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot festival, is believed to be as old as the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The festival, celebrated with great fanfare from New Zealand to London and South Africa encompasses the onward journey of the Holy Trinity to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha Devi's Temple and culminates with the return journey after eight days.
In reality, the festival stretches from the day of Akshaya Tritiya (in April) and culminates with the return of the journey of the Holy Trinity to the Shree Mandir premises.
The grand Rath Yatra, commencing on Sunday, promises to draw lakhs of worshippers, eager to participate in one of the most revered and historic religious events in India.
According to Odisha Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, 24-hour control rooms and medical kits for devotees in every bus deployed for the Yatra will be arranged.
"Our department has implemented many programs for the Rath Yatra. There will be a control room operating 24 hours a day, and six cranes will be stationed at different locations. In case of vehicle breakdowns, we have coordinated with various companies to provide breakdown services. Additionally, every bus will have a medical kit," he said while speaking to ANI. (ANI)