Jagannath Rath Yatra begins amid tight security

The 133rd Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath began on Tuesday morning at the Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur, Ahmedabad. Thousands of devotees joined the procession as it started its journey through the 14-kilometre long route including some communally sensitive areas, in old city.

The yatra will see participation of 18 decorated elephants, 98 decorated trucks apart from three big decorated raths of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balram and Subhadra, which will be pulled by 1,000 devotees.

Meanwhile in Orissa, over 5000 security men have been deployed in Puri for the Rath Yatra.

Nearly a million people are expected to visit the holy city to take part in the grand festival that celebrates the week-long journey of the deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra from the main temple to Shree Gundicha Temple.(AFP Photo)

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, as per tradition, did the symbolic cleaning of road outside the temple, from where the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balram and their sister Subhadra passes. (AFP Photo)

The yatra, oldest in the state, had devotees lined up alongside the chariots of Lord Jagannath, brother Balram and sister Subhadra. (AFP Photo)

Tight security arrangements with over 14,000 cops and 4500 home guard jawans have been deployed across the city. (NDTV Photo)

These arrangements have been made following the arrest of two SIMI suspects with some arms and ammunition by the Ahmedabad crime branch on Monday. (NDTV Photo)

Meanwhile in Orissa, over 5000 security men have been deployed in Puri for the Rath Yatra.

Nearly a million people are expected to visit the holy city to take part in the grand festival that celebrates the week-long journey of the deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra from the main temple to Shree Gundicha Temple. (AFP Photo)

The drawing of chariots began in Puri at 3 pm on Tuesday. The drawing of the chariots forms an important part of the Rath Yatra during which the devotees get the opportunity to embrace the deities and offer their prayers. (NDTV Photo)

The Rath Yatra is also known as 'Car Festival'. An annual festival that commemorates the journey of Krishna from Gokul to Mathura. It also symbolizes a journey to light from the dark, which commences on the 2nd day of the bright fortnight in the month of Asadha. (NDTV Photo)

The Rath Yatra of Orissa is one of the oldest and marks the annual journey of the three deities from the 12th century Jagannath temple in three splendidly decorated wooden chariots, pulled by devotees, to the Gundecha temple, about two kilometres away. (NDTV Photo)

The festival culminates nine days later when the deities make their way back home to the Jagannath temple. (NDTV Photo)