Surat: Gujarat’s two major cities came alive with devotion on Ashadhi Beej as thousands of devotees participated in the annual Jagannath Rath Yatras on Thursday, with elaborate processions, devotional chants and tight security arrangements marking the celebrations.In Surat, the main ISKCON Rath Yatra began from the railway station after the traditional maha aarti and pahind ritual, in which the chariot was ceremonially swept with a golden broom. The procession, carrying Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladev and Goddess Subhadra, passed through Ring Road, Athwalines, Adajan and Rander before concluding at the ISKCON temple in Jahangirpura. Several other temples and local committees also organised Rath Yatras across the city. Devotees decorated the routes with colourful rangolis, while traders’ associations welcomed the procession with flower showers. Bhajan mandalis, kirtan groups, children in traditional attire and even foreign devotees dancing to the beats of mridang and manjira added to the festive atmosphere. ISKCON distributed mahaprasad to lakhs of devotees.In Vadodara, the Rath Yatra commenced from Sayajigunj and passed through Kothi crossroads, Raopura and Nyay Mandir before culminating near Polo Ground. Children dressed in colourful traditional attire rode on the chariots as devotees danced to the chants of “Jai Jagannath” and Hare Krishna bhajans.Police maintained tight security in both cities. In Vadodara, thousands of police personnel, eight drones and officers equipped with body-worn cameras monitored the procession, while in Surat, CCTV cameras and drones ensured smooth conduct of the yatra. Volunteers and police also created a clear passage for an ambulance during the Surat procession, allowing it to pass without delay.
