As Rath Yatra reaches Ahmedabad's Saraspur, 'pols' keep tradition alive of feeding thousands

Ahmedabad, Jul 16 (PTI) Thousands of devotees and spiritual leaders were served traditional community meals across Saraspur's 'pols' or local societies in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Thursday after the Jagannath Rath Yatra reached there, which is regarded as the maternal home of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. Participants from the 'akhadas', tableaux, and thousands of other devotees made their way to the community kitchens housed in the narrow 'pols' such as Limbda Pol, Kadiyawad, Gandhi ni Pol, Luhar Sheri, Vaniyawad, Vasan Sheri, Thakorwas, Panchawad and Ambliwad, where residents kept a centuries-old tradition alive by preparing and serving food to all irrespective of caste and creed. "For over 100 years, a feast for around 5,000 devotees and saints has been organised in Mota Vasan ni Sheri. Saraspur is regarded as the mosal (maternal home) of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. Every year, the residents warmly welcome the deities with great enthusiasm," organiser Laxmandasji Maharaj said. At Panchawad Pol, residents said the tradition has continued for four generations. "People of the pol have been preparing food for the last four to five days. Around 500 kg of boondi, 200 kg of potato sabji and puris made from 200 kg of wheat flour have been prepared. More than 2,500 devotees are expected to partake in the feast," organiser Prakash Jotani said. Luhar Sheri residents have been organising the community meal for the past 49 years, with more than 15,000 devotees being served lunch here, organiser Pravin Patel said. Around 200 residents participated in preparing meals, which needed 1,000 kg of potato sabji, puris and 1,500 kg of mohanthal, he added. Ambliwad, which has been hosting the tradition for 81 years, was preparing meals for 15,000-16,000 devotees, organiser Nityanand Maharaj said, adding more than 200 residents came together to prepare food. Apart from community kitchens, residents and local groups in Saraspur have also set up free refreshment stalls offering water, buttermilk and juices along the Rath Yatra route for devotees. As the Rath Yatra entered Saraspur amid tight security, devotees lined the streets for a glimpse of the procession, which comprised 18 decorated elephants, around 100 trucks carrying tableaux, nearly 30 akhadas, 20 bhajan 'mandalis' along with the three chariots carrying the revered deities. The chariots reached Saraspur amid devotional chants and resounding religious slogans from thousands of devotees. Residents lined along the narrow lanes showered flowers, creating a vibrant and devotional atmosphere. Despite the intense heat, lakhs of people gathered with great enthusiasm to welcome the deities along the route. Members of the Bajrang Akhada performed 'mallakhamb' postures on a moving truck. Mallakhamb is traditional sport that combines gymnastics, wrestling and aerial Yoga. Among the attractions was a man dressed as Jesus, drawing the attention of devotees along the route. One tableau carried the message 'No War, Only Peace', referring to global tensions and concerns over fuel supplies. "God, we have prepared the chariot; please bring the ships carrying petrol, diesel and gas across Hormuz' read a slogan. The 149th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath rolled out in Ahmedabad on Thursday morning under heavy security, with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performing the traditional ‘Pahind Vidhi’ to mark its commencement. The 16-km procession route passes through communally sensitive areas such as Jamalpur, Kalupur, Shahpur and Dariyapur before returning to the temple at around 9 pm after a nearly 14-hour journey. Through the day, several lakh people are expected to take part in the procession, which is being protected by more than 30,000 security personnel equipped with AI-powered surveillance. PTI KVM PD BNM