Rajkot/Junagadh: Large number of people and over 10 thousand vehicles today participated in the around 60 km long Khodaldham shobha-yatra (a religious procession) from Rajkot to Kagvad in neighbouring Junagadh district held as the part of Pran-Pratishtha Mahotsav ( pertaining to setting up of idols in temple) of Khodaldham temple, the main religious center of Leuwa Patidar community in Gujarat and across the world.

A total of 21 idols including the main one of mother goddess Khodiyar is to be set up at the temple on January 21 during which many records will also be creaated including the Guinness World record of largest assembly of around 3.50 lakh people singing national anthem at one place together.

 

The main procession with the idol of maa khodiyar started from racecourse road in Rajkot at around 7 am in the morning and arrived Kagvad at around 2 pm. Other processions from neighbouring Jamnagar and other districts also joined it. The main procession for which an over one km long rangoli (an art-form in which patterns is created on the floor ) was made in Rajkot and was joined by 3000 cars, 7000 two-wheeler and around 350 buses has itself got a place in golden book of records as the largest such procession. The length of the procession was 40 km with first vehicle in Rajkot and last in Gondal. Women also performed Garba on the occasion.

Head of Khondaldham trust Naresh Patel and former chief minister Keshubhai Patel inaugurated the shobha-yatra in Rajkot. Minister Jayesh Radadia also participated in the event. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani expressed his well wishes on the occasion and talked to Naresh Patel over phone.

 

 

Large number of people gathered on the road-side to have a glimpse of the shobha-yatra which crossed through Kisanpara, Women’s college unerbridge, KKV crossing, 150 ft ring road, Gondal crossing and Virpur. The vehicles were decorated with the religious flags and chants of Jai Khondal maa reverberated far and wide.

Later in Kagvad chopper dropped flower petals on the temple on which the national flag has been hoisted higher than the religious flag. The havan (a religious ritual) in 1008 Yagna Kund will also make a record of sorts tomorrow.

Elaborate arrangements have been made for the five day long function which began today.

 

 

DeshGujarat