Ahmedabad, 9 July 2013

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi offered evening prayer and paid his obeisance at the historic Bhagwan Jagannath Temple at Jamalpur locality here today.

He also previewed the security arrangements on the eve of 136th Rath Yatra (chariot procession) to be taken out through the streets of Ahmedabad tomorrow. He was accompanied by the temple head priest Mahant Dilipdasji and Mahandrabhai Jha.

Even as Mahant Dilipdasji blessed Mr. Modi, other priests and trustees extended warm welcome to the Chief Minister.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Modi said that Bhagwan Jagannath is the Lord of the Poor. The Lord’s Rath Yatra symbolized His day out to get Himself acquainted with the wellbeing of the poor. He said that Bhagwan Jagannath Rath Yatra is taken out at over 125 cities and towns in Gujarat and is celebrated with éclat and enthusiasm as a festival every year.

He recalled that Ahmedabad had been a city of mills workers having provided jobs to the poor workers from all over the country. He wished Lord Jagannath blessed people from all walks of life, peasants and urbanites alike, of Gujarat and the entire country. May the youth continue to get jobs and the country progressed by leaps and bounds.

Prominent among those present included Roads and Building Minister Anandiben Patel, Minister of State for Home Rajnikant Patel, Law Minister Pradipsinh Jadeja and Ahmedabad Mayor Minaxi Patel.