Ahead of Rath Yatra, Gujarat Dy CM attends Netrotsav at Jagannath temple in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, Jul 14 (PTI) Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Tuesday participated in the 'Netrotsav' ceremony, flag hoisting and Maha Aarti at Shree Jagannathji Mandir ahead of the 149th Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad. The traditional Netrotsav ritual, during which silk bandages are tied over the Lord's eyes in the sanctum sanctorum, was observed alongside the 'Navayouvan Darshan', marking the God's first public appearance in his rejuvenated form after recovering from a 15-day period of 'illness' and returning to the temple, an official release stated. "Before the commencement of the grand 149th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath on July 16 (Ashadhi Beej), Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi participated in the sacred Netrotsav ceremony at the Jagannath Temple, accompanied by energy and district in-charge minister Rishikesh Patel," it stated. After the flag hoisting at the temple, Sanghavi participated in the Maha Aarti, the release said. The Gujarat government has made elaborate security arrangements and also incorporated several innovative projects based on modern technology and social policing to ensure the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is completed peacefully, safely and in a harmonious atmosphere, it added. PTI KVM GK