ADALAJ, GANDHINAGAR | 12th JULY 2026 | Preparations are in full swing for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Adalaj, which will be held on Thursday, July 16, from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm.
The temple is located within the premises of the Jagannath Cultural Academy and Research Centre (JCARC). JCARC was established with the objective of strengthening the cultural bond between Odisha and Gujarat. Built on the lines of the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri, the temple follows the religious traditions and rituals observed at the world famous temple. It also promotes the message of communal harmony, equality and universal brotherhood associated with Lord Jagannath.
The grand Rath Yatra festival will be celebrated with traditional religious ceremonies. The festivities commenced with Snana Purnima on June 29 and will continue until Niladri Vijay on July 24, with a series of rituals and cultural programmes.
The Jagannath Temple attracts devotees throughout the year, with large numbers visiting daily from surrounding areas. More than 20,000 devotees are expected to participate in the Rath Yatra. Cultural performances by renowned artistes will also be organised in the temple premises during the evening.
In keeping with the traditions of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Rath Yatra day will include sacred rituals such as Netrotsav, Nava Yauvan Darshan, Mangala Aarti, purification of the chariot, the Pahandi procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, the traditional Chhera Pahara ceremony, during which the chief guest symbolically sweeps the chariot with a golden broom, followed by Kapoor Aarti. After the completion of these rituals, devotees will have darshan of the deities on the chariot before the Rath Yatra begins.
Following tradition, Lord Jagannath, accompanied by Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, will proceed to the Mausima Temple (Maa Annapurna Temple), blessing devotees of all faiths, communities and backgrounds along the route. The Rath Yatra symbolises communal harmony, universal brotherhood, peace, prosperity and happiness.
Speaking about the Rath Yatra, Narhari Amin said this year marks the fifth edition of the Rath Yatra from Shree Jagannath Temple in Adalaj to the Annapurnadham Trust. He said around 15,000 to 20,000 devotees are expected to participate, with people from nearly 25 to 30 villages around Gandhinagar gathering for darshan. He added that cultural programmes would also be organised in the evening following the completion of the procession.
Maheshwar Sahu, retired IAS officer and Chairman of JCARC, said 90% of devotees visiting the temple come from nearby areas. He added that the celebrations extend over nine days, with a series of religious and cultural programmes, and are expected to benefit more than 25,000 devotees. Arrangements have also been made by the temple for the distribution of prasadam to all devotees.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest. The event will also be attended by former Rajya Sabha MP and former Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat Narhari Amin, and Gandhinagar Mayor Meera Patel as Guests of Honour.
Upon the arrival of the Chief Guest, the temple trust will accord a ceremonial welcome. The Chief Priest will then present the Agyamala and invite the Chief Guest to perform the traditional Chhera Pahara ritual. Senior office-bearers of JCARC and the Odisha Society of Gujarat (OSCA) will also remain present during the ceremonies.
The Rath Yatra will commence from Shree Jagannath Temple in Adalaj and proceed via the Shani Temple, Uvarsad Bridge and Adalaj Circle before reaching the Maa Annapurna Temple. On arrival, Narhari Amin and other trustees will offer ceremonial prayers and present offerings to Maa Annapurna, following which prasadam will be served to devotees.
After a halt of around two hours at the Mausima Temple, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra will return to Shree Jagannath Temple. Special arrangements have also been made for the distribution of Mahaprasad to devotees throughout the day.
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