Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], July 16 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday participated in the Mangala Aarti at the renowned Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad on the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Bij and the 149th Rath Yatra and offered prayers with deep devotion. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also joined the occasion.

Many devotees across the country have unwavering faith in Lord Jagannath. Every year, on the sacred day of Ashadhi Bij, Lord Jagannath, along with His sister Subhadraji and brother Balbhadraji, embarks on the city procession to bless devotees with His divine darshan.

Ahead of the Rath Yatra, Home Minister Shah, along with his family, performed the Mangala Aarti and offered prayers to Lord Jagannath.

On this sacred occasion of the Rath Yatra, which is a symbol of faith not only for the city of Ahmedabad but for the entire state of Gujarat, Mahant Dilipdasji of the Ahmedabad Jagannath Temple, along with saints, mahants, and a large number of devotees, remained present.

Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings to devotees in India and across the world on the auspicious occasion of Mahaprabhu Jagannath Rath Yatra, saying that the soulful occasion marked the union of the devotee and the Divine is 'truly unique.'

In a post on X ahead of the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra that commences today, President Murmu highlighted the festival's spiritual, cultural and unifying significance and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the country and its people to continue to flourish.

'On the auspicious occasion of Mahaprabhu's Rath Yatra, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all devotees of Shri Jagannath across the country and abroad. It is a widely held belief that during the magnificent tradition of this sacred procession, Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath, accompanied by Chakraraj Sudarshan, elder brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra, comes out to meet the devotees. This soulful occasion, marking the union of the devotee and the Divine, is truly unique,' the President of India's official wrote. (ANI)