Puri/Ahmedabad: Amidst fear of a drought, Puri is praying to Lord Jagannath as the annual Rath Yatra began on Wednesday which commemorates Lord Krishna's return home after a long period of separation.
Three richly decorated chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balram and their Sister Subhadra, resembling temple structures, are pulled through the streets of Puri.
Lakhs of devotees throng the place to catch a glimpse of their Lord and to touch the ropes of the chariots, considered to be a pious deed.
The Jagannath Temple in Puri is regarded as one of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrimage places in India.
In Ahmedabad, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi flagged off a replica of Lord Jagannath's chariot on Wednesday morning.
"We pray to Lord Jagannath for good rains in the country, for the poor and for good education. I have come here to pray for the goodwill of people in Gujarat," said Narendra Modi after symbolically cleaning the road from where the chariots will pass.
Eighteen decorated elephants and 98 decorated trucks will also participate in the Yatra in which three big decorated chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balram and their sister Subhadra will be pulled by 1,000 devotees.
The main chariots are closely followed by colourfully adorned elephants, trucks, motor vehicles, pilgrims on foot, acrobats and gymnasts.
Unprecedented security arrangements have been made in the city for the smooth conduct of the Yatra, which is the first after the serial blasts last year.
Central paramilitary forces and state police have been deployed at various locations in Ahmedabad.
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