Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi performed rituals amid tight security to flag off the traditional Jagannath yatra from a 400-year-old temple in Ahmedabad today.
Mr Modi prayed for a good monsoon for farmers and for "peace, brotherhood and growth" in the country after pulling out the chariot of Lord Jagannath from the temple.
The rath yatra entourage will pass through 127 localities in the city - including some sensitive areas like Kalupur, Prem Darwaja, Delhi Chakla, Dariyapur and Shahpur in the old city - and cover a distance of 14 kilometres.
"Ahmedabad's Jagannath temple rath yatra is famous world over. Since the last 136 years, this tradition is going on and once again, Lord Jagannathji is out on a (nagar charya) city tour to give a glimpse to the people," Mr Modi said.
