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Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad Gujarat: As the biggest upholder of Hinduism, there are numerous religious sites in every state in India. God Jagannath is one of the deities who have followers all over the world. Apart from Puri on the Eastern coast of the country, there are some more major temples where devotees go to worship the god.
The Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is one such auspicious place. The shrine holds centuries of history. People come here to get blessings from the gods Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra and never return empty-handed.
Where is the Jagannath Temple in Gujarat?
The Jagannath Temple is situated in the Jamalpur area in Ahmedabad city in Gujarat.
Who was the founder of the Jagannath Temple?
Sadhu Saraangdasji established the temple in Ahmedabad.
When was the Jagannath Temple established in Gujarat?
According to some, the temple was built around 450 years ago. However, it is also said that the temple was built in 1411 during the rule of Sultan Ahmed Shah.
Who manages the Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad at present?
The Shree Jagannath Mandir Trust Committee acts as the governing body of the temple and every official responsibility of the site.
How important is the Rath Yatra in Gujarat?
Apparently, the Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is the third biggest Jagannath festival in India.
When can the devotees visit the temple?
Daily the Jagannath temple opens at 4:40 AM and allows the followers till 1 PM. And again, opens at 3 PM and closes at 9 PM.
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How do the annual Rath Yatra festivities begin at the Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad?
With the first glimpse of the three gods, Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are viewed by the elephants as per centuries of tradition, the procession begins. Then, the Chief Minister of Gujarat performs the cleaning of the path for the Rath (chariot) to pass; the ritual is also known as Pahind Vidhi.
How is the Rath Yatra festival in Ahmedabad celebrated?
The procession of the Rath or chariot is taken through various parts of the city. It covers approximately a distance of 14 km in the day. The procession finally ends at Saraspur. Here all the devotees and local people are offered food or ‘Maha Bhoj’. The auspicious day is considered a public festival or ‘Lokotsav’ in the state. People from several corners of Gujarat join the procession and the festivities to offer prayer to the Gods.
Why is the Rath taken to Saraspur temple?
The Saraspur temple is believed to be the maternal aunt’s home of Lord Jagannath. Therefore, the chariot is taken there and kept for nine days.
How big is the Jagannath festival in Gujarat?
Puri, Odissa, celebrates the largest Jagannath festival in India. The city gathers over lakhs of people during the Rath Yatra. Devotees from all over the country go to witness the crowd and enjoy the procession. While Kolkata comes the second in celebrating the festival, Ahmedabad witnesses the third biggest Rath Yatra celebration in India.
When is the Jagannath Festival held in Gujarat?
The Jagannath festival is held at the beginning of the rainy season. Every year in the month of July or August, the festival is celebrated at every Jagannath temple in the country.
When was the Jagannath Temple in Gujarat attacked?
The Jagannath temple was attacked on September 18, 1969, during the Urs festival at Bhukhari Saheb’s Chilla.
Why was the Jagannath Temple in Gujarat attacked?
During the Urs festival, a huge number of Muslim people gather to celebrate near the Jamalpur locality where both the temple and Sufi Bhukhari Saheb’s Chilla or tomb are situated. When the Hindu sadhus of the temple tried to bring back the temple’s cows inside the temple area, the cows somehow injured some Muslim women and carts where people were selling goods.
The incident did not go well with the people and carried out with anger, a confrontation between the Hindu sadhus and Muslim devotees began. The next day on September 19, a mass of Muslim people attacked the Jagannath Temple. Thus, a riot began in various places not only in Ahmedabad but throughout the state.
For how long is the Rath Yatra festival being celebrated in Gujarat?
In 2021, the festival completed its 144th year.
