Ahmedabad, 26 February (HS): People of Ahmedabad have always enjoyed the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, the city’s presiding deity. However, for the first time, Goddess Bhadrakali, the city’s ‘nagardevi’ (guardian goddess), will embark on a grand chariot procession through the streets of Ahmedabad to bless her devotees. This historic event is coinciding with Maha Shivaratri.

Today is Ahmedabad's foundation day and also Mahashivratri festival. 614 years after the establishment of the city, Goddess Bhadrakali Mata went on a city pilgrimage for the first time.

Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain flagged off the chariot of Goddess Bhadrakali.

The city procession of Goddess Bhadrakali, which started for the first time on Tuesday, started with drums, nagadas, shehnai, flags and cheers.

Earlier, the Ahmedabad city police gave a guard of honor to Mataji. A large number of devotees participated in this procession with joy. The city residents were walking behind the chariot with drums, nagadas, shehnai, flags and open jeeps and vehicles. The procession of Nagardevi reached Jamalpur Jagannath Temple.

Congress MLA and Muslim leader Imran Khedawala offered garland to the city's goddess Bhadrakali Mataji and took darshan. The MLA also welcomed the temple trustees. The trustees of Bhadrakali temple were welcomed by the mayor, standing committee chairman, party leaders and officials at the Municipal Corporation office.

The Shobha Yatra of Mata Bhadrakali will go to Mataji temple via Baba Maneknath's Samadhi, Jagannath temple, riverfront ghat, Lakshmi temple, Vasant Chowk and Paduka Aarti will be performed here. The Shobha Yatra will include Mataji's chariot, five small elephants, female elephant, Nashik drum group, flags of five sadhus, band music, DJ truck, three bhajan troupes, 15 vehicles, 100 two-wheelers and Akhara. The police have made extensive security arrangements to ensure that the Nagar Yatra is conducted peacefully.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar